Legal abortion | When and how the law comes into force

By 38 votes to 29, the National Senate approved the legalization of abortion. As dictated by the National Constitution and in the pursuit of legislative times, the law will now pass to the executive power so that the president – who has already expressed himself in favor of the initiative – approves and promulgates it. You can do this by a decree or opt for a “promulgation of the facts”. This means that if it is not pronounced ten working days after the rule is communicated to you, the law is automatically promulgated. In both cases, It is published in the Official Journal and comes into force. Meanwhile, if Alberto Fernández vetoed the law – which he has already announced and it is not his intention – he could do so in whole or in part.

// Legal abortion | It was time to vote

Under current law, free and voluntary abortion can be performed up to the fourteenth week of gestation (inclusive). Once asked, it must be done within a maximum of ten calendar days. Likewise, it is established that the practice should be included in the Compulsory Medical Program (PMO) to ensure full and free coverage of both public sector and social work and prepaid.

Before requesting an abortion, the pregnant person must give your informed consent in writing. From the age of 16, you can do this without the permission of an elderly person. For at under 13, requires them presence of at least one of your parents O legal representative. With regard to minors under 16 years of age, reference is made to article 26 of the Civil and Commercial Code, which provides that “the minor exercises his rights through his legal representatives”, but “has a age and a sufficient degree of maturity he can exercise by himself the acts which are authorized by the legal order. “In addition, he adds that” in situations of conflict of interest with their legal representatives, they can intervene with legal assistance “.

On the other hand, with regard to the effective obligations that will have the health establishments where all the professionals are conscientious objectors, it is established: “The health agents of the private sub-sector or of the social security who do not have professionals to terminate the pregnancy due to exercise of the right to conscientious objection, they must plan and organize reference to an effector who effectively performs the service and that it has characteristics similar to that which the person requesting the service has consulted ”. And it is specified that “in all cases, the performance of the practice must be guaranteed” and that “the procedures and costs associated with the referral and transfer of the patient will be borne by the effector making the referral” .

// Legal abortion | How did each senator vote?

Until the approval of the new law, abortion was allowed only when the pregnancy presents a serious risk to the health of the mother or in cases of rape.