Abortion defined; when authorized

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  • (a) “Abortion” means the termination of human pregnancy with an intention other than to produce a live birth or to remove a dead fetus.

  • (b) An abortion may be performed in this Territory only with the written consent of the pregnant female and only if it is performed:

    • 1. within, up to and including 12 weeks after the commencement of pregnancy, by a physician licensed to practice medicine in this Territory or by a physician practicing medicine in the employ of the government of the Virgin Islands;

    • 2. after 12 weeks, up to and including 24 weeks after the commencement of the pregnancy, by a surgeon or gynecologist licensed to practice medicine in this Territory or by a surgeon or gynecologist practicing medicine in the employ of the government of the Virgin Islands, and the abortion is performed in a hospital licensed by the Department of Health; and

    • 3. after 24 weeks of pregnancy only if the provisions of paragraph 2 of this subsection are complied with and the surgeon or gynecologist has reasonable cause to believe that there is substantial risk that the continuation of pregnancy will endanger the life or health of the pregnant female.


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