Makes exceptions in our state abortion laws for instances of rape and incest.

HB 1440 / SB 0857

Bill description

Abortion - As introduced, exempts from the offense of criminal abortion an abortion that is performed on a patient whose pregnancy is the result of rape or incest if the abortion is performed prior to a certain gestational age; requires the physician performing the abortion to confirm that the patient reported the offense to the appropriate law enforcement agency and submitted to a forensic medical examination prior to the procedure; adds a mandatory minimum sentence of three years incarceration for filing a false report of rape or incest for the purpose of obtaining an abortion.

Bill sponsors

Rep. Iris Rudder RHouse sponsor

Sen. Ferrell Haile RSenate sponsor

TLRC statement

This bill would create an exception for rape and incest in legalizing an elective abortion. We believe that God is the author of life, no matter how tragic the circumstances are. If life begins at conception, then there can be no justification for ending that life. While we greatly sympathize with those who have experienced trauma, we cannot support abortion as an acceptable result. The abortion debate for those who have experienced the trauma of rape or sexual abuse is certainly difficult. And we don't pretend to be able to understand what that is like. However, we must stand firm on a few basic principles.

Life begins at conception and God alone is the author of life.
Trauma does not justify the taking of an unborn person's life.
An unborn person is deserving and worthy of the constitutional security of life.

Read the bill