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.