A bill has been introduced in Louisiana that would make it possible for women who abort their pregnancies to be charged with murder.
The “Abolition of Abortion in Louisiana Act of 2022,” introduced as House Bill 813, would redefine a “person” as any individual human being from the moment of fertilization, extending all homicide laws to the unborn.
The bill also ignores any federal laws, regulations, or court judgments that would “deprive an unborn child of the right to life,” regardless of whether the Supreme Court reverses Roe v. Wade.
“We cannot wait for the Supreme Court to confirm that innocent babies have a right to life in Louisiana,” said the bill’s author, Rep. Danny McCormick.
On May 4, the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice voted 7-2 to support the bill. On Thursday, May 12, it will be presented on the House floor.
The bill was deemed “unnecessary” by Louisiana Right to Life, a renowned anti-abortion organization, which stated that women who have abortions should not be labeled as criminals.
On Friday, the organization said, “Instead, we should hold accountable the individuals performing the abortion or selling or providing the chemical abortion drugs.”
When Roe v. Wade is repealed, the organization claims that Louisiana’s existing law, the 2006 Human Life Protection Act, will prohibit abortion.
“Because HB 813 does not exempt women from criminalization and is unnecessary to protect babies’ lives from abortion, Louisiana Right to Life does not support HB 813,” the organization said.
Susan B. Anthony List, a national anti-abortion organization, shared that sentiment, citing worry that the bill will punish women forced to have abortions.
SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser said, “We strongly oppose HB 813.”
The bill will be sent to Democratic Governor Jon Bel Edwards’ desk if approved by Louisiana’s House and Senate. The bill has yet to be vetoed by the pro-life governor.
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