Following the special session called by GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds, the state house of Lowa hastily passed a bill on Tuesday, July 11 to outlaw the practice of abortion, except for a few special cases to limit its access to the majority of women in the state. The bill, before being effectuated by Reynolds with her signature, must be approved by the Senate. Senate File 579 orders the doctors not to perform abortions when an early cardiac arrest is identified in the fetus or embryo even within six weeks of pregnancy when many women are not even aware of their pregnancy.
It makes exceptions for miscarriages when the mother’s life is in danger and the cases of peculiarities in the fetus that would cause the baby’s death. It also excludes the pregnancies resulting from rape and incest, in which case they must be reported within 45 days and 140 days respectively.
After about a 12-hour discussion and debate till late night about the implementation of the law, the State House of Lowa concluded advancing the measure after getting 56-34 votes from both parties.
Policies and Conditions Included in the Lowa Abortion Banning Bill
Even though the bill makes it amply clear that the women on whom abortion is done will not be subject to a criminal offense, the guideline states that the doctors operating will be penalized, though the mode and manner of punishment are yet to be decided by the medical board of Lowa. Lowa’s Republican Senate President, Amy Sinclair says that there might not be any legal regulation for the physicians.
After the Supreme Court’s rejection to revoke the block on the initial ban despite being aware of how “unconstitutional” the decision is, Reynolds called for Lowa’s legislature to enforce the bill citing the reason that it will put an end to the destruction of unborn lives. The recent bill and the decision of the Supreme Court in 2018 are alike, except that the latter was not enacted immediately.
Even though the legislative council is thrusting the abortion bill to be implemented at the national level, it is strongly opposed by Democratic leaders and citizens alike. Lowa State House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst protested against it by stating that women are not liberated when their reproductive and healthcare rights are determined by the state.
