50-20-108. Protection of premature infants born alive. (1) A person commits an offense, as defined in 45-5-102 through 45-5-104, if the person purposely, knowingly, or negligently causes the death of a premature infant born alive, if the infant is viable.

(2) Whenever a premature infant that is the subject of abortion is born alive and is viable, it becomes a dependent and neglected child subject to the provisions of state law, unless:

(a) the termination of the pregnancy is necessary to preserve the life of the mother; or

(b) the mother and the mother's spouse or either of them have agreed in writing in advance of the abortion or within 72 hours thereafter to accept the parental rights and responsibilities of the premature infant if it survives the abortion procedure.

(3) A person may not use any premature infant born alive for any type of scientific research or other kind of experimentation except as necessary to protect or preserve the life and health of the premature infant born alive.

(4) A violation of subsection (3) is a felony.