PRINTER'S NO. 1144
No. 991 Session of 1983
INTRODUCED BY FREIND, ARTY, TRELLO, SWEET, KUKOVICH, REBER,
MILLER, MICOZZIE, GALLAGHER, NOYE, BELARDI, JOHNSON, McVERRY,
PRATT, CLYMER, PETERSON, FISCHER AND E. Z. TAYLOR, MAY 11,
1983
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, MAY 11, 1983
AN ACT
1 Amending the act of August 22, 1953 (P.L.1344, No.383), entitled
2 "An act relating to marriage; and amending, revising,
3 consolidating and changing the law relating thereto,"
4 providing for an immunity test for rubella.
5 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
6 hereby enacts as follows:
7 Section 1. Section 5 of the act of August 22, 1953
8 (P.L.1344, No.383), known as The Marriage Law, is amended by
9 adding a clause to read:
10 Section 5. Restrictions on the Issue of Marriage License.--
11 No license to marry shall be issued by any clerk of the orphans'
12 court:
13 * * *
14 (a.1) (1) Until the female applicant, if of childbearing
15 age, has been advised as to the dangers of rubella (German
16 measles) and has been notified of the appropriate examination as
17 determined by the Department of Health.
18 (2) The Department of Health shall provide the clerk of the
1 orphans' court with cards which will properly advise the
2 applicant pursuant to subclause (1).
3 (3) The cards shall contain the following information:
4 (i) Notice that it has been clearly determined that a woman
5 who contracts rubella while pregnant stands a significantly
6 increased chance of giving birth to a child affected by a birth
7 defect.
8 (ii) Her physician may administer rubella immunization.
9 Medical evidence has indicated that this immunization is
10 effective.
11 (iii) Because of medical evidence, it is strongly
12 recommended that a woman should refrain from becoming pregnant
13 for at least three (3) months from the date of said
14 immunization. A woman should not be immunized while she is
15 pregnant or possibly pregnant.
16 (iv) Such other information as the Department of Health
17 deems advisable.
18 * * *
19 Section 2. The act is amended by adding a section to read:
20 Section 22.1. Duties of Department of Health.--The
21 Department of Health shall be required to highlight the problems
22 caused by rubella in its public education programs.
23 Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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