New Zealand’s parliament approved a bill Wednesday easing restrictions on abortion.
The bill decriminalizes abortion, removing the abortion procedure from the Crimes Act 1961. It also provides that “[a] qualified health practitioner may provide abortion services to a woman who is not more than 20 weeks pregnant.”
For women who are more than 20 weeks pregnant, qualified health practitioners can perform abortions that the practitioner “reasonably believes that the abortion is clinically appropriate in the circumstances.” Additionally, health practitioners must follow specific guidelines, including consulting “at least 1 other qualified health practitioner.” However, these guidelines do not apply in a medical emergency.
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