Controversy over abortion in U. S. intensifies presentation begins
2023.02.09 09:13
Controversy over abortion in U. S. intensifies presentation begins
By Kristina Sobol
Budrigannews.com – After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year, debates over abortion are getting heated in state capitol buildings across the country as lawmakers debate how much to restrict or expand access to abortion.
In 2023, the following is a snapshot of state legislation aimed at either preventing or preserving access to abortion.
FLORIDA: Republican state lawmakers have stated that they are thinking about pursuing stricter measures, such as a 12-week ban, while the 15-week abortion ban that Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law last year is being challenged in court. Last week, DeSantis said that if the Republican-controlled legislature passes a bill that would prohibit abortions as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, he would sign it.
KANSAS: Despite the fact that Kansans supported state abortion rights on a ballot measure last year, Republican lawmakers have proposed measures that would prohibit the use of telemedicine to prescribe abortion pills and a near-total ban on abortion.
IDAHO: Idaho lawmakers have proposed legislation that would make it illegal to assist a minor in seeking an abortion in another state without the consent of the minor’s parent or legal guardian. Between two and five years in prison are possible for offenders. A complete ban on abortion is currently in effect in the Republican-led state.
MONTANA: A bill that is aimed at overturning a 1999 decision by the state supreme court that said the state constitution protected a right to abortion has been introduced by Republican lawmakers. That ruling has stopped legislators in the conservative state from limiting abortion to 24 weeks or less. This year, lawmakers have also introduced a bill that would restrict Medicaid patients’ access to abortions.
NEBRASKA: A six-week abortion ban has been proposed by Republicans in Nebraska’s unicameral legislature, which has 50 members. The bill needs 33 votes to pass without being filibustered, and it has 29 cosponsors. The state currently allows abortions up to 22 weeks.
NAPOLEON DAKOTA: A challenge to a trigger ban, a complete ban on abortion that went into effect immediately after Roe v. Wade was overturned, is scheduled to be decided by the state supreme court. However, the ban has since been stopped while the case is being handled. To clarify the prohibition, Republican lawmakers are moving a bill to allow abortions for rape and incest cases before six weeks of pregnancy.
CAROLINA DE SOUTH: Republicans have introduced a near-total abortion ban and a 6-week abortion ban this year, despite the fact that the state supreme court recently rejected a six-week ban with a 3-2 vote. The outcome of the state’s appeal of the supreme court’s decision may determine the legislation’s success.
WYOMING: The Wyoming Senate has approved a bill that will now move on to the House of Representatives to prohibit the use or prescription of abortion pills. During the time that a state court is examining a challenge to a near-total trigger ban, abortion is legal until viability, which is approximately 24 weeks.
MICHIGAN: In the November 2022 election, abortion rights advocates won a lot of ground in Michigan, gaining a Democratic majority in the legislature and enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution. It is likely that Democratic lawmakers will pass a bill to overturn a 1931 law that prohibited abortion.
ILLINOIS: In January, Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a law that shields out-of-state patients and providers of abortions from legal threats made by other states.
MINNESOTA: In January, the new Democratic majority in the Minnesota legislature approved a bill that codified the state’s right to abortion, as well as the right to contraception and fertility treatment. On January 31, Democratic Governor Tim Walz signed the measure.
WASHINGTON: A bill that would enshrine rights to abortion and contraception in the state constitution has been introduced by legislators in the Democratic-led legislature. A two-thirds majority in both chambers and a majority of voters in a general election are required for it to pass.
