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A look at Indiana bill banning abortions for fetal defects

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The Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — An Indiana bill that would ban abortions sought because a fetus has a genetic abnormality such as Down syndrome is heading to Gov. Mike Pence for possible approval. The conservative Republican governor is a strong opponent of abortion and a spokeswoman said he would give it "thoughtful consideration." Indiana would be the second state in the nation to have such a restriction, if Pence signs. Here's a look at what the measure would do and how state lawmakers approved it.

WHO WOULD BE AFFECTED?

Women would be barred from terminating a pregnancy because of a genetic abnormality. The measure would also allow doctors who perform abortions in such cases to be sued for wrongful death, or possibly face professional discipline.

The measure includes other provisions regulating the handling of miscarried or aborted fetuses, requiring abortion providers to cremate or bury fetuses.

It also would make it a felony to transfer fetal tissue, a move aimed at Planned Parenthood after secretly recorded videos showed officials with the organization discussing how they sometimes supply fetal tissue to scientists.

HAS THIS BEEN DONE BEFORE?

North Dakota is the only state to ban abortions sought because of genetic fetal abnormalities, although similar measures have been debated in other states, including Ohio.

IS IT CONSTITUTIONAL?

Critics in Indiana question whether the measure is constitutional, and even GOP House Speaker Brian Bosma said he expects a court challenge if Pence signs the bill into law.

HOW WAS THE BILL PASSED?

The GOP-controlled House voted 60 to 40 Wednesday in favor of the bill, which had already been approved last week 37 to 13 in the Republican-dominated Senate.

Many opponents objected to the way the House went about approving the measure. An earlier version that was passed by the House did not include the ban, which was added in the Senate. Rather than send the bill to committee to negotiate details, GOP House leaders sent it to the floor for a vote, under a procedural maneuver that did not allow lawmakers to make changes.

The bill was opposed by many female legislators, including Republicans, who said it went too far.

"It saddens me and makes me sick to my stomach to be up here right now," Rep. Wendy McNamara, a Republican from Evansville, said during debate. "It's bills like these that make people like me really hate the system."

 

 

Posted 3/10/2016

 
 
 
 

 

 

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