2001 Legislative Session: 5th Session, 36th Parliament
THIRD READING

The following electronic version is for informational purposes only.
The printed version remains the official version.

Certified correct as passed Third Reading on the 3rd day of April, 2001
Ian D. Izard, Law Clerk

HONOURABLE JOY MacPHAIL
MINISTER OF EDUCATION
 AND DEPUTY PREMIER

BILL 21 – 2001

ABORTION SERVICES STATUTES AMENDMENT ACT, 2001

HER MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia, enacts as follows:

Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act

1 The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 165, is amended by adding the following section in Division 2 of Part 2:

Disclosure of information relating to abortion services

22.1 (1) In this section, "abortion services" means lawful medical services for the termination of a pregnancy.

(2) The head of a public body must refuse to disclose to an applicant information that relates to the provision of abortion services.

(3) Subsection (2) does not apply to the following:

(a) information about abortion services that were received by the applicant;

(b) statistical information, including financial information, relating to the total number of abortion services provided throughout

(i) British Columbia, or

(ii) a region that is designated under section 4 (1) (b) of the Health Authorities Act if more than one health care body provides abortion services in that region;

(c) information about a public body's policies on the provision of abortion services.

(4) Nothing in this section prevents any other provision of this Act from applying if a request is made under section 5 by an applicant for access to a record containing information about abortion services that were received by the applicant.

Hospital Act

2 Section 1 of the Hospital Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 200, is amended in the definition of "hospital" by striking out "except in Part 2," and substituting "except in Parts 2 and 2.1,".

3 The following Part is added:

Part 2.1 – Hospitals Providing Abortion Services

Abortion services

24.1 (1) In this section "qualified person" has the meaning given to it in section 1 of the Hospital Insurance Act.

(2) Each hospital listed in the Schedule to this Act must provide the facilities and services, and be operated and maintained, as necessary to allow a qualified person to receive abortion services at that hospital.

(3) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may, by regulation, amend the Schedule to add to it any hospital in British Columbia.

4 Section 47 is amended by adding "including a hospital under Part 2.1," after "to a hospital,".

5 Section 56 is amended by adding the following subsection:

(3.1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations adding any hospital in British Columbia to the Schedule.

6 The following Schedule is added:

Schedule

[section 24.1]

Copyright (c) 2001: Queen's Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada