Louisiana Passes ‘Heartbeat Bill’
BATON ROUGE, La.– The Louisiana House of Representatives on May 29 passed 79-23, a “heartbeat bill” that will prohibit abortions after an unborn baby’s heartbeat is detectable in the womb, which is usually as early as six weeks of pregnancy.
Senator John Milkovich, a Democrat, sponsored SB 184 which requires an ultrasound to be conducted prior to any abortion procedure. If a fetal heartbeat is detected, the bill bans abortion unless, under penalty of perjury, the abortion provider declares the procedure necessary “to prevent the death of the pregnant woman or to prevent a serious risk of the substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function of the pregnant woman.” The bill also includes an exemption in the case that a physician certifies that the “unborn child has a profound and irremediable congenital or chromosomal anomaly that is incompatible with sustaining life after birth.”
The House rejected an amendment that would have provided an exception to the bill for rape or incest. Doctors breaking the law could face up to two years in prison and lose their medical license.
In a statement posted on Twitter shortly after the vote, Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards wrote, “As I prepare to sign this bill, I call on the overwhelming bipartisan majority of legislators who voted for it to join me in continuing to build a better Louisiana that cares for the least among us and provides more opportunity for everyone.”
“I commend Louisiana lawmakers for fighting for precious babies and passing this ‘heartbeat bill,'” said Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver. “The beating heart of a priceless unborn child should awaken the conscience of our nation to the violence of abortion. I am grateful that Louisiana is not afraid to take significant steps toward making the womb a safe place again,” said Staver.
Liberty Counsel is an international nonprofit, litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono assistance and representation on these and related topics.
(Source: Christian Newswire)
