Pre 1973 medical instruments.
They keep throwing bills against the wall to see if anything sticks. Rinse. Repeat.
Representative Mary Elizabeth Coleman (r) [2019 file photo].
A bill, introduced by Representative Mary Alice Coleman (r) on Monday:
HB 964
Requires the use of a fetal heartbeat detection test prior to an abortion and prohibits an abortion if a fetal heartbeat is detected
Sponsor: Coleman, Mary Elizabeth (097)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2019
LR Number: 2116H.01I
Last Action: 02/19/2019 – Read Second Time (H)
Bill String: HB 964
Next House Hearing: Hearing not scheduled
Calendar: Bill currently not on a House calendar
The bill summary [pdf]:
HB 964 — FETAL HEARTBEAT DETECTION
SPONSOR: Coleman (97)This bill specifies that a physician shall not perform or induce an abortion on a pregnant woman without first performing a fetal heartbeat detection test. Except in cases of medical emergency, a physician shall not perform or induce an abortion if a fetal heartbeat is detected and shall inform the woman, in writing, that such abortion cannot be performed or induced. If a fetal heartbeat is not detected, an abortion may be performed or induced, in accordance with applicable law, so long as the abortion is performed or induced within 96 hours of the fetal heartbeat detection test. If more than 96 hours have passed since the fetal heartbeat detection test, the physician shall perform a new test prior to an abortion.
The physician shall record the estimated gestational age of the unborn child as well as the time, date, method, and results of the fetal heartbeat detection test in the woman’s medical record and in the abortion report submitted to the Department of Health and Senior Services.
Any physician who fails to perform a fetal heartbeat detection test prior to the performance or inducement of an abortion shall be subject to having his or her medical license rejected, revoked, or suspended for six months and shall pay a $1,000 fine. Any physician who performs or induces an abortion following the detection of a fetal heartbeat shall have his or her license revoked and any future license application denied. Any woman upon whom an abortion is performed or induced in violation of these provisions shall not be prosecuted for a conspiracy to violate these provisions.
This bill is the same as HB 126 (2019).
“…This bill is the same as HB 126 (2019).” Then what’s the point?
In Iowa:
Iowa ‘fetal heartbeat’ abortion restriction declared unconstitutional, struck down by Polk County judge
Tony Leys, Des Moines Register Published 4:23 p.m. CT Jan. 22, 2019 | Updated 7:13 p.m. CT Jan. 22, 2019Iowa’s “fetal heartbeat” law — the most restrictive abortion limit in the country — violates Iowa Constitution and may not be enforced, a state judge ruled Tuesday.
In his decision striking down the abortion law, Polk County District Judge Michael Huppert cited the Iowa Supreme Court’s ruling last year in a challenge to a different abortion-restriction law. The high court held that “a woman’s right to decide whether to terminate a pregnancy is a fundamental right under the Iowa Constitution” in that ruling.
[….]
The law would ban nearly all abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected. Critics of the law said that can occur about six weeks into a pregnancy and often before a woman realizes she’s pregnant.
[….]
And, a bill, introduced by Representative Doug Richey (r) on Monday:
HB 971
Establishes the “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act”
Sponsor: Richey, Doug (038)
Proposed Effective Date: 8/28/2019
LR Number: 2103H.01I
Last Action: 02/19/2019 – Read Second Time (H)
Bill String: HB 971
Next House Hearing: Hearing not scheduled
Calendar: Bill currently not on a House calendar
From the bill text [pdf]:
[….]
2. Whoever knowingly causes the death of a child who was born alive during or immediately after an attempted abortion shall be guilty of murder in the second degree under section 565.021.
3. Whoever recklessly causes the death of a child who was born alive during or immediately after an attempted abortion shall be guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the first degree under section 565.024.
4. Whoever, with criminal negligence, causes the death of a child who was born alive during or immediately after an attempted abortion shall be guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the second degree under section 565.027.
[….]
Before 1973.
Previously:
HB 126 and HB 127: catering to their single issue base (December 3, 2018)
