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States passing legislation to protect unborn babies

Feb 18, 2022

By Dave Andrusko

On December 1, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case of Mississippi’s Gestational Age Act which protects unborn babies over 15 weeks with limited exception. Other states are following Mississippi’s example.

“It’s no surprise that other states are looking to Mississippi,” Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves told The Daily Caller News Foundation. “When it comes to preserving the sanctity of life, our state’s law is the gold standard. We welcome our pro-life allies across the nation to stand alongside Mississippi as we promote a culture of life that will save millions of babies for generations to come.”

As reported in NRL News Today, on Tuesday, the Arizona state Senate passed Senate Bill 1164, which would also protect unborn babies after the 15th week. The only exception would be cases of medical emergency. The bill is similar, but not identical, to Mississippi’s Gestational Age Act. It is being considered by the House with passage assured and Gov. Doug Ducey is expected to sign it into law.

Florida is moving quickly on its15-week abortion limit. Just after midnight Thursday morning, after more than five hours of debate, the Florida House forwarded the bill to the Senate. The vote was overwhelming in favor: 78 to 39.

One Senate committee has already heard a companion bill, SB146. The Senate Appropriations Committee could take up the bill–The Reducing Fetal and Infant Mortality Act–as early as next week.

The bill is likely to pass the Florida Senate. According to Florida Politics, Senate President Wilton Simpson supports the pro-life bill. Gov. DeSantis is expected to sign the bill.

The pro-life legislation “would allow exceptions if the mother’s life is at risk or if the unborn baby has a fatal anomaly,” Micaiah Bilger explained. “It also would create new requirements for hospitals and abortion facilities to report data to the Florida Department of Health, including measures to help identify victims of human trafficking, to keep track of babies who are born alive in abortions and to reduce infant mortality.

Categories: State Legislation
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