INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Right to Life today applauds the Indiana Senate for today’s passage of critical pro-life legislation that includes multiple provisions, including the requirement that women considering abortion must be informed about the abortion pill reversal process proven to have saved over 2,000 babies’ lives nationwide. House Bill 1577, authored by Rep. Peggy Mayfield and sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Liz Brown, passed the Senate today by an overwhelming 36-14 margin. After concurrence, the bill will move on to Governor Eric Holcomb’s desk.
Three Republicans voted no on HB 1577, including Sen. Ron Alting, Sen. Vaneta Becker, and Sen. Phil Boots.
The abortion pill reversal (APR) process has been proven to have high success rates in reversing chemically induced abortions when administered after a woman has taken the first pill in a chemical abortion’s two-pill process, but before the second pill is taken. APR can literally be a lifesaver for the unborn babies of women who regret their decision after taking the first pill.
Dr. Christina Francis, president of the American Association of Pro-Life Ob/Gyns (AAPLOG) and a board member of Indiana Right to Life, testified earlier in the week, “If we truly care about women being able to make informed choices, that should include knowing there’s an option if they change their mind.”
Another provision of the bill includes a requirement that women receiving state-required informed consent counseling, at least 18-hours prior to an abortion, must be given a photo of their baby’s ultrasound. In addition, a copy of the photo must be attached to her file so that state inspectors can verify the required ultrasound was performed.
HB 1577 also ties an abortion clinic’s health and safety reporting to the state’s licensing process, blocking the way for clinics with open inspection violations from receiving rubber stamp approval for licensing renewal.
The bill also requires that any parental signatures for a minor’s abortion must be notarized as an additional step to help prevent falsification of parental signatures.
In addition, conscience protections are extended to mental health workers to protect them from being forced to facilitate or counsel for abortions, if such individuals object on ethical, moral or religious grounds. legislation will save lives in Indiana.”
House co-authors include Rep. Joanna King and Rep. Michelle Davis.
Senate co-sponsors include Sen. Erin Houchin, Sen. Linda Rogers, Sen. Mike Gaskill, Sen. James Tomes, Sen. James Buck, Sen. Dennis Kruse, and Sen. Jeff Raatz.
# # #
Recent Comments