Wis. Stat. § 895.038

Current through Acts 2023-2024, ch. 272
Section 895.038 - Partial-birth abortions; liability
(1) In this section:
(a) "Child" has the meaning given in s. 940.16(1) (a) .
(b) "Partial-birth abortion" has the meaning given in s. 940.16(1) (b) .
(2)
(a) Except as provided in par. (b), any of the following persons has a claim for appropriate relief against a person who performs a partial-birth abortion:
1. If the person on whom a partial-birth abortion was performed was a minor, the parent of the minor.
2. The father of the child aborted by the partial-birth abortion.
(b) A person specified in par. (a) 1. or 2. does not have a claim under par. (a) if any of the following apply:
1. The person consented to performance of the partial-birth abortion.
2. The pregnancy of the woman on whom the partial-birth abortion was performed was the result of a sexual assault in violation of s. 940.225 , 944.06 , 948.02 , 948.025 , 948.06 , 948.085 , or 948.09 that was committed by the person.
(3) The relief available under sub. (2) shall include all of the following:
(a) If the abortion was performed in violation of s. 940.16 , damages arising out of the performance of the partial-birth abortion, including damages for personal injury and emotional and psychological distress.
(b) Exemplary damages equal to 3 times the cost of the partial-birth abortion.
(4) Subsection (2) applies even if the mother of the child aborted by the partial-birth abortion consented to the performance of the partial-birth abortion.

Wis. Stat. § 895.038

1997 a. 219; 2005 a. 277.

A Nebraska statute that provided that no partial birth abortion can be performed unless it is necessary to save the life of the mother whose life is endangered by a physical disorder, physical illness, or physical injury is unconstitutional. Stenberg v. Carhart, 530 U.S. 914, 120 S. Ct. 2597, 147 L. Ed. 2d 743 (2000). The federal Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003 is distinguishable from Stenberg and is constitutional. Gonzales v. Carhart, 550 U.S. 124, 127 S. Ct. 1610; 167 L. Ed. 2d 480 (2007). Enforcement of s. 940.16 is enjoined under Carhart. Hope Clinic v. Ryan, 249 F.3d 603 (2001).