Chapter 253

253.10(3)(f) (f) Medical emergency. If a medical emergency exists, the physician who is to perform or induce the abortion necessitated by the medical emergency shall inform the woman, prior to the abortion if possible, of the medical indications supporting the physician’s reasonable medical judgment that an immediate abortion is necessary to avert her death or that a 24-hour delay in performance or inducement of an abortion will create a serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of one or more of the woman’s major bodily functions. If possible, the physician shall obtain the woman’s written consent prior to the abortion. The physician shall certify these medical indications in writing and place the certification in the woman’s medical record.

253.10(3)(g) (g) Presumptions. Satisfaction of the conditions required under par. (c) creates a rebuttable presumption that the woman’s consent and, if the woman is a minor and if s. 48.375 (4) (a) 2. does not apply, the consent of the individual who also gives consent under s. 48.375 (4) (a) 1. to an abortion is informed. The presumption of informed consent may be overcome by a preponderance of evidence that establishes that the consent was obtained through fraud, negligence, deception, misrepresentation or omission of a material fact. There is no presumption that consent to an abortion is voluntary.

253.10(3g) (3g) Performance of ultrasound.

253.10(3g)(a) (a) Except as provided under sub. (3m) and except in a medical emergency and before a person may perform or induce an abortion on a pregnant woman, the physician who is to perform or induce the abortion, or any physician requested by the pregnant woman, shall do all of the following, or shall arrange for a person who is qualified to perform an ultrasound to do all of the following:

253.10(3g)(a)1. 1. Perform an obstetric ultrasound on the pregnant woman using whichever transducer the woman chooses after the options have been explained to her. A facility that offers ultrasounds at no cost to satisfy the requirements of this subsection shall have available transducers to perform both transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasounds.

253.10(3g)(a)2. 2. Provide a simultaneous oral explanation to the pregnant woman during the ultrasound of what the ultrasound is depicting, including the presence and location of the unborn child within the uterus, the number of unborn children, and the occurrence of the death of an unborn child, if such a death has occurred.

253.10(3g)(a)3. 3. Display the ultrasound images so that the pregnant woman may view them.

253.10(3g)(a)4. 4. Provide to the pregnant woman a medical description of the ultrasound images, including the dimensions of the unborn child and a description of any external features and internal organs that are present and viewable on the image.

253.10(3g)(a)5. 5. Provide a means for the pregnant woman to visualize any fetal heartbeat, if a heartbeat is detectable by the ultrasound transducer type chosen by the woman under subd. 1., and provide to the pregnant woman, in a manner understandable to a layperson, a simultaneous oral explanation.

253.10(3g)(b) (b) No person may require a pregnant woman to view the ultrasound images that are required to be displayed for and reviewed with her or to visualize any fetal heartbeat. No person, including the pregnant woman, may be subject to any penalty if the pregnant woman declines to view the displayed ultrasound images or to visualize any fetal heartbeat.

253.10(3g)(c) (c) The requirement under par. (a) does not apply if the physician, in a writing that is placed in the woman’s medical record, certifies that the pregnant woman is undergoing a medical emergency and certifies the medical condition that constitutes the medical emergency.

253.10(3g)(d) (d) A physician other than a physician at the facility where the abortion is to be performed or induced may do or arrange for the performance of the activities necessary to satisfy the requirements of this subsection. A physician at a location other than the facility where the abortion is to be performed or induced who does or arranges for the performance of the activities under par. (a) shall certify on a form described under sub. (3) (em) 3. that the requirements of this subsection are satisfied and shall provide the date on which the requirements are satisfied.

253.10(3g)(e) (e) No person who has been convicted of a crime under ss. 940.22, 940.225, 948.02, 948.025, or 948.05 to 948.14 may perform any ultrasound that is required under this subsection.

253.10(3m) (3m) Pregnancy as the result of sexual assault or incest.

253.10(3m)(a) (a) A woman seeking an abortion may waive the 24-hour period required under sub. (3) (c) 1. (intro.) and L. and 2. (intro.) and may waive all of the requirements under sub. (3g) if all of the following are first done:

253.10(3m)(a)1. 1. The woman alleges that the pregnancy is the result of sexual assault under s. 940.225 (1), (2) or (3) and states that a report alleging the sexual assault has been made to law enforcement authorities.

253.10(3m)(a)2. 2. Whoever provides the information that is required under sub. (3) (c) 1. or 2., or both, confirms with law enforcement authorities that a report on behalf of the woman about the sexual assault has been made to law enforcement authorities, makes a notation to this effect and places the notation in the woman’s medical record.

253.10(3m)(b) (b) The 24-hour period required under sub. (3) (c) 1. (intro.) and L. and 2. (intro.) is reduced to at least 2 hours if all of the following are first done:

253.10(3m)(b)1. 1. The woman alleges that the pregnancy is the result of incest under s. 948.06 (1) or (1m) and states that a report alleging the incest has been made to law enforcement authorities.

253.10(3m)(b)2. 2. Whoever provides the information that is required under sub. (3) (c) 1. or 2., or both, confirms with law enforcement authorities that a report on behalf of the woman about the incest has been made to law enforcement authorities, makes a notation to this effect and places the notation in the woman’s medical record.

253.10(3m)(c) (c) Upon receipt by the law enforcement authorities of a request for confirmation under par. (a) 2. or (b) 2., and after reasonable verification of the identity of the woman and her consent to release of the information, the law enforcement authorities shall confirm whether or not the report has been made. No record of a request or confirmation made under this paragraph may be disclosed by the law enforcement authorities.

253.10(4) (4) Hotline. The department may maintain a toll-free telephone number that is available 24 hours each day, to provide the materials specified in sub. (3) (d) 1.

253.10(5) (5) Penalty. Any person who violates sub. (3), (3g) (a), or (3m) (a) 2. or (b) 2. shall be required to forfeit not less than $1,000 nor more than $10,000. No penalty may be assessed against the woman upon whom the abortion is performed or induced or attempted to be performed or induced.

253.10(6) (6) Civil remedies.

253.10(6)(a) (a) A person who violates sub. (3) or (3m) (a) 2. or (b) 2. is liable to the woman on or for whom the abortion was performed or induced for damages arising out of the performance or inducement of the abortion, including damages for personal injury and emotional and psychological distress.

253.10(6)(am) (am) Any of the following individuals may bring a claim for damages, including damages for personal injury and emotional and psychological distress, against a person who attempts to perform or performs an abortion in violation of sub. (3g):

253.10(6)(am)1. 1. A woman on whom an abortion is performed or attempted.

253.10(6)(am)2. 2. The father of the aborted unborn child or the unborn child that is attempted to be aborted.

253.10(6)(am)3. 3. Any grandparent of the aborted unborn child or the unborn child that is attempted to be aborted.

253.10(6)(b) (b) A person who has been awarded damages under par. (a) or (am) shall, in addition to any damages awarded under par. (a) or (am), be entitled to not less than $1,000 nor more than $10,000 in punitive damages for a violation that satisfies a standard under s. 895.043 (3).

253.10(6)(c) (c) A conviction under sub. (5) is not a condition precedent to bringing an action, obtaining a judgment or collecting the judgment under this subsection.

253.10(6)(d) (d) Notwithstanding s. 814.04 (1), a person who recovers damages under par. (a) or (b) may also recover reasonable attorney fees incurred in connection with the action.

253.10(6)(dm) (dm) A district attorney or the attorney general may institute an action for injunctive relief against any person who performs or attempts to perform an abortion in violation of sub. (3g).

253.10(6)(e) (e) A contract is not a defense to an action under this subsection.

253.10(6)(f) (f) Nothing in this subsection limits the common law rights of a person that are not in conflict with sub. (3).

253.10(7) (7) Affirmative defense. No person is liable under sub. (5) or (6) or under s. 441.07 (1g) (f), 448.02 (3) (a), or 457.26 (2) (gm) for failure under sub. (3) (c) 2. d. to provide the printed materials described in sub. (3) (d) to a woman or for failure under sub. (3) (c) 2. d., e., f., fm., or g. to describe the contents of the printed materials if the person has made a reasonably diligent effort to obtain the printed materials under sub. (3) (e) and s. 46.245 and the department and the county department under s. 46.215, 46.22, or 46.23 have not made the printed materials available at the time that the person is required to give them to the woman.

253.10(7m) (7m) Confidentiality in court proceedings.

253.10(7m)(a) (a) In every proceeding brought under this section, the court, upon motion or sua sponte, shall rule whether the identity of any woman upon whom an abortion was performed or induced or attempted to be performed or induced shall be kept confidential unless the woman waives confidentiality. If the court determines that a woman’s identity should be kept confidential, the court shall issue orders to the parties, witnesses, and counsel and shall direct the sealing of the record and exclusion of individuals from courtrooms or hearing rooms to the extent necessary to safeguard the woman’s identity from public disclosure. If the court issues an order to keep a woman’s identity confidential, the court shall provide written findings explaining why the woman’s identity should be kept confidential, why the order is essential to that end, how the order is narrowly tailored to its purpose, and why no reasonable less restrictive alternative exists.

253.10(7m)(b) (b) Any person, except for a public official, who brings an action under this section shall do so under a pseudonym unless the person obtains the written consent of the woman upon whom an abortion was performed or induced, or attempted to be performed or induced, in violation of this section.

253.10(7m)(c) (c) The section may not be construed to allow the identity of a plaintiff or a witness to be concealed from the defendant.

253.10(8) (8) Construction. Nothing in this section may be construed as creating or recognizing a right to abortion or as making lawful an abortion that is otherwise unlawful.

253.10 History History: 1985 a. 56, 176; 1991 a. 263; 1993 a. 27 s. 378; Stats. 1993 s. 253.10; 1995 a. 309; 1997 a. 27; 1999 a. 9; 2005 a. 155, 277, 387; 2007 a. 20; 2009 a. 28; 2011 a. 217; 2013 a. 37, 114, 335; 2015 a. 56; 2023 a. 55.

253.10 Annotation Sub. (2) (d) is constitutional and preempts the operation of s. 48.375 (4) (b) 1. in the case of emergency abortions for minors. Sub. (3) (c) 2. is constitutional; physicians may rely on their “best medical judgment” in delivering the content to be conveyed to the patient on the specific listed topics and cannot be held liable because prosecutors disagree with information provided to a woman on a certain topic. Sub. (3) (c) 1. g. is constitutional. Karlin v. Foust, 188 F.3d 446 (7th Cir. 1999). (All references are to 1995 stats.)

253.10 Annotation Section 253.10 (3) (c) 1. j., 1995 stats., is unconstitutional. Karlin v. Foust, 975 F. Supp. 1177 (1997). This holding was not subject to the appeal in Karlin v. Foust, 188 F.3d 446.

253.105 253.105 Prescription and use of abortion-inducing drugs.

253.105(1) (1) In this section:

253.105(1)(a) (a) “Abortion” has the meaning given in s. 253.10 (2) (a).

253.105(1)(b) (b) “Abortion-inducing drug” has the meaning given in s. 253.10 (2) (am).

253.105(1)(c) (c) “Physician” has the meaning given in s. 448.01 (5).

253.105(2) (2) No person may give an abortion-inducing drug to a woman unless the physician who prescribed, or otherwise provided, the abortion-inducing drug for the woman:

253.105(2)(a) (a) Performs a physical exam of the woman before the information is provided under s. 253.10 (3) (c) 1.

253.105(2)(b) (b) Is physically present in the room when the drug is given to the woman.

253.105(3) (3) Penalty. Any person who violates sub. (2) is guilty of a Class I felony. No penalty may be assessed against a woman to whom an abortion-inducing drug is given.

253.105(4) (4) Civil remedies.

253.105(4)(a) (a) Any of the following persons has a claim against a person who intentionally or recklessly violates sub. (2):

253.105(4)(a)1. 1. A woman to whom an abortion-inducing drug was given in violation of sub. (2).

253.105(4)(a)2. 2. If the abortion-inducing drug was given to a minor in violation of sub. (2), a parent or guardian of the minor.

253.105(4)(a)3. 3. The father of the unborn child aborted as the result of an abortion-inducing drug given in violation of sub. (2), unless the pregnancy of the person to whom the abortion-inducing drug was given was the result of sexual assault in violation of s. 940.225, 944.06, 948.02, 948.025, 948.06, 948.085, or 948.09 and the violation was committed by the father.

253.105(4)(b) (b) A claim for relief under par. (a) may include:

253.105(4)(b)1. 1. Damages arising out of the inducement of the abortion, including damages for personal injury and emotional and psychological distress.

253.105(4)(b)2. 2. Punitive damages for a violation that satisfies the standard under s. 895.043 (3).

253.105(4)(c) (c) Notwithstanding s. 814.04 (1), a person who recovers damages under this subsection may also recover reasonable attorney fees incurred in connection with the action.

253.105(4)(d) (d) A conviction under sub. (3) is not a condition precedent to bringing an action, obtaining a judgment, or collecting a judgment under this subsection.

253.105(4)(e) (e) A contract is not a defense to an action under this subsection.

253.105(4)(f) (f) Nothing in this section limits the common law rights of a person that are not in conflict with sub. (2).

253.105(5) (5) Confidentiality in court proceedings.

253.105(5)(a) (a) In every proceeding brought under this section, the court, upon motion or sua sponte, shall rule whether the identity of any woman upon whom an abortion was induced or attempted to be induced shall be kept confidential unless the woman waives confidentiality. If the court determines that a woman’s identity should be kept confidential, the court shall issue orders to the parties, witnesses, and counsel and shall direct the sealing of the record and exclusion of individuals from courtrooms or hearing rooms to the extent necessary to safeguard the woman’s identity from public disclosure. If the court issues an order to keep a woman’s identity confidential, the court shall provide written findings explaining why the woman’s identity should be kept confidential, why the order is essential to that end, how the order is narrowly tailored to its purpose, and why no reasonable less restrictive alternative exists.

253.105(5)(b) (b) Any person, except for a public official, who brings an action under this section shall do so under a pseudonym unless the person obtains the written consent of the woman upon whom an abortion was induced, or attempted to be induced, in violation of this section.

253.105(5)(c) (c) The section may not be construed to allow the identity of a plaintiff or a witness to be concealed from the defendant.

253.105(6) (6) Construction. Nothing in this section may be construed as creating or recognizing a right to abortion or as making lawful an abortion that is otherwise unlawful.

253.105 History History: 2011 a. 217.

253.107 253.107 Probable postfertilization age; later-term abortions.

253.107(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

253.107(1)(a) (a) “Abortion” has the meaning given in s. 253.10 (2) (a).

253.107(1)(b) (b) “Medical emergency” has the meaning given in s. 253.10 (2) (d).

253.107(1)(c) (c) “Probable postfertilization age of the unborn child” means the number of weeks that have elapsed from the probable time of fertilization of a woman’s ovum.

253.107(2) (2) Probable postfertilization age. Except in the case of a medical emergency, no physician may perform or induce an abortion, or attempt to perform or induce an abortion, unless the physician performing or inducing it has first made a determination of the probable postfertilization age of the unborn child or relied upon such a determination made by another physician.

253.107(3) (3) Protection of unborn child capable of feeling pain from abortions.

253.107(3)(a) (a) No person shall perform or induce or attempt to perform or induce an abortion upon a woman when the unborn child is considered capable of experiencing pain unless the woman is undergoing a medical emergency. For purposes of this subsection, an unborn child is considered to be capable of experiencing pain if the probable postfertilization age of the unborn child is 20 or more weeks.

253.107(3)(b) (b) When the unborn child is considered capable of experiencing pain and the pregnant woman is undergoing a medical emergency, the physician shall terminate the pregnancy in the manner that, in reasonable medical judgment, provides the best opportunity for the unborn child to survive, unless the termination of the pregnancy in that manner poses a greater risk either of the death of the pregnant woman or of the substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function of the woman than other available methods.

253.107(4) (4) Penalty. Any person who violates sub. (3) (a) is guilty of a Class I felony. No penalty may be assessed against a woman upon whom an abortion is performed or induced or attempted to be performed or induced.

253.107(5) (5) Civil remedies; injunctions.

253.107(5)(a) (a) Any of the following individuals may bring a claim for damages, including damages for personal injury and emotional and psychological distress, against a person who performs, or attempts to perform, an abortion in violation of this section:

253.107(5)(a)1. 1. A woman on whom an abortion is performed or induced or attempted to be performed or induced.

253.107(5)(a)2. 2. The father of the aborted unborn child or the unborn child that is attempted to be aborted, unless the pregnancy is the result of sexual assault under s. 940.225 (1), (2), or (3) or incest under s. 948.06 (1) or (1m).

253.107(5)(b) (b) A person who has been awarded damages under par. (a) shall, in addition to any damages awarded under par. (a), be entitled to punitive damages for a violation that satisfies a standard under s. 895.043 (3).

253.107(5)(c) (c)

253.107(5)(c)1. 1. Notwithstanding s. 814.04 (1), a person who recovers damages under par. (a) or (b) may also recover reasonable attorney fees incurred in connection with the action.

253.107(5)(c)2. 2. If a defendant prevails in an action under par. (a) and the court finds the action was frivolous or brought in bad faith, notwithstanding s. 814.04 (1), the defendant may recover reasonable attorney fees incurred in connection with defending the action.