May 13, 2011

Governor is expected to sign sweeping pro-life legislation into law this week

A spokesman for Gov. Mitch Daniels said that the governor expects to sign into law this week a bill passed by the Indiana General Assembly that would arguably make Indiana one of the most pro-life states in the nation.

In the process, Indiana would become the first state in the nation to defund abortion providers like Planned Parenthood.

House Enrolled Act 1210 requires women to be given various pieces of information in both oral and written forms prior to receiving an abortion.

This information includes the fact that life begins at conception, and that there are options to abortion and support for women who carry the baby to birth.

Potential health risks related to abortion must also be explained, and women seeking an abortion will be informed that their unborn child may feel pain during the abortion.

The wide-ranging pro-life act also prohibits abortions in Indiana after 20 weeks of gestation. Previous state law had banned abortions only after unborn babies were viable, which is generally considered to be 24 weeks.

The act also will require doctors who perform abortions in the state to establish emergency room admitting privileges for the purpose of follow-up care should the post-abortive woman need it.

HEA 1210 also bans an Indiana health insurance exchange established under the federal health care act from including elective abortion coverage.

This new pro-life law also prohibits the state government from contracting with an organization that performs abortions. Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, will no longer receive state tax dollars to provide medical services because they provide abortions.

The provisions of HEA 1210 takes effect immediately upon it becoming law. †

Related story: Governor Daniels signs school choice legislation into law

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