Abortion access in the U.S.

Alabama anti-abortion House & Senate bills

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Filing of an anti-abortion bill in Alabama:

On 2006-MAR-09, Senator Hank Erwin (R-Montevallo) introduced bill SB503 in the Alabama Senate. It replicates the provision of the comprehensive abortion ban signed into law in South Dakota three days earlier. It would make every abortion in the state a Class B felony, including those triggered by rape or incest, except those needed to save the life of the woman. Erwin said: "I thought if South Dakota can do it, Alabama ought to do it because we are a family friendly state." Referring to the bill's ban on abortions where the pregnancy was caused by rape or incest, he said: "I don't think you need to penalize the unborn child when something like that happens." ₁ He continued:

"We are making a statement with the bill this year and next year we are going to take action. I don't think there is any doubt that the Alabama Senate is going to change next year. We are going to become a family friendly body to the unborn children of Alabama....In all statistical data, Alabama is the most conservative state in the Southeast. If abortion can be stopped, it can be stopped in Alabama." ₂

The bill states:

"Section 1. Notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter 22 of Title 26, except in an extreme case of medical emergency where the life of the mother is threatened by the pregnancy, any person who causes or participates in the abortion of an unborn child shall be guilty of a Class B felony." _3,4

It is unclear from the bill's present wording whether an abortion performed when the fetus has died would subject the physician to prosecution. It is also unclear whether the woman receiving the procedure "participates in the abortion" to the extent that she might also be prosecuted.

The bill has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Senator Erwin received widespread press coverage in 2006-SEP when he stated that Hurricane Katrina was God's judgment of sin. At the time, he wrote in a column that he distributes to news outlets:

"Warnings year after year by godly evangelists and preachers went unheeded. So why were we surprised when finally the hand of judgment fell? Sadly, innocents suffered along with the guilty. Sin always brings suffering to good people as well as the bad." ₅

Representative Nick Williams, (R-McIntosh) introduced a similar anti-abortion bill in the House. He said: "it's the right thing to do. It's something we need to address. I believe the majority of people in this state are pro-life and would support this legislation."

Both bills have been assigned to committees. However, there is little time left to deal with the bills, so they are not expected to be voted upon in the 2006 regular session. _1,2

Reactions:

"Alabama’s proposed abortion ban is the height of hypocrisy. On the one hand, politicians want to ban abortion. On the other hand, they cut off women from services that would prevent unwanted pregnancies." ₂

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