Nevada Gov. Signs Law Protecting Abortion Traffickers

On May 30, Nevada joined the growing number of pro-abortion states with laws prohibiting cooperation with states investigating abortion-related crimes.

The new law signed by Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo (R) prohibits Nevada officials from cooperating with other another state if it is investigating a violation of a pro-life law in that state. The law also prohibits medical governing boards in Nevada from disciplining physicians who provide abortions.

This codifies an executive order by Lombardo's predecessor, Steve Sisolak (D). Lombardo originally said he would repeal the order if elected, but Lombardo reversed this stance later in his campaign.

Nevada's legislature is in the process of drafting legislation to enshrine the state's existing abortion rights into the state constitution. If it passes both democratically-controlled houses, it will need to be passed again in 2025 before appearing on the 2026 ballot. The governor's approval is not required.

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Judge Temporarily Blocks South Carolina Heartbeat Law

South Carolina Circuit Judge Clifton Newman issued a temporary injunction blocking the enforcement of the state's new law banning the abortion of children with detectable heartbeats.

The new law prohibits abortion after a child's heartbeat is detectable, which normally occurs at six weeks. It contains exceptions for rape and incest up to 12 weeks, and any gestational age if the child is diagnosed with a fatal condition or the mother faces a medical emergency.

Newman's injunction must be reviewed by the South Carolina Supreme Court, which notably struck down a different heartbeat law in January. Since then, a pro-abortion justice retired from the court.

Gov. Henry McMaster (R) and pro-life legislators filed an emergency petition to the state supreme court requesting an expedited hearing:

“Appellants are likely to succeed on the merits,” the petition argues. “The 2023 Act resolves the issues the Court found with the 2021 Act, from removing the prior codification of the Roe trimester framework to clarifying the State’s compelling interest in the life of the unborn child to addressing the ‘informed choice’ concern.”

“Appellants will suffer irreparable harm without an injunction because the representative process is damaged every time a law adopted by the General Assembly and approved by the Governor is enjoined,” the petition further argues. “Respondents—two physicians and two facilities that perform abortions—will not: They cannot legally represent the interests of pregnant women on whom they seek to perform abortions, and they face no harm themselves from complying with state law. And a stay of the injunction pending appeal will protect the lives of countless unborn children.”

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Michigan Man Who Shot Pro-Life Canvasser Sentenced to Community Service

On May 23, 75-year-old Richard Harvey was sentenced to two months in jail and 100 hours of community service for shooting Joan Jacobson, an 84-year-old pro-life advocate advocating against legislation that would enshrine a right to abortions in the state constitution.

Harvey pleaded no contest to the charges of felonious assault, careless discharge of a firearm causing injury, and reckless discharge of a firearm.

Judge Suzanne Hoseth Kreeger imposed a suspended sentence of two months. Harvey will not serve any time in jail if he abides by the conditions of his probation (which order him to have no contact with Jacobson). Harvey must also pay court costs and $347.19 in restitution.

Jacobson was canvassing door-to-door against the pro-abortion constitutional amendment, which was since passed by Michigan voters. She was arguing with Harvey's pro-abortion wife about the topic when he approached with a gun.

Harvey told the court that he believed Jacobson would hit his wife with her clipboard, so he used his gun to try and knock it out of her hands. In doing so, he shot Jacobson; narrowly missing her spine. Jacobson then drove herself to a nearby police station. From there, she was transported to the hospital.

Jacobson read a victim impact statement at Harvey's sentencing hearing.

“I’m still in disbelief that this incident happened to me,” she said. “I still wonder what was so offensive that I did or said in my brief encounter with Mrs. Harvey that made (Richard Harvey) decide I was a threat and needed to get a gun.”

“I have supported Right to Life my entire life — respecting life from the first moment of conception until natural death has fostered in me a heart that forgives and will do no harm to anyone, except of course in self-defense,” Jacobson said. “I wouldn’t harm Mrs. Harvey and I did nothing to show her I intended to harm her. I came to their home for the purpose of saving lives, not to take lives.”

Jacobson said that she forgives the Harveys, though she would appreciate an apology.

Many pro-lifers express concerns that such light sentencing will encourage further violence against pro-life advocates.

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Happy Memorial Day

 

Federal Courts Rule California Can't Force Churches to Cover Abortion

Two federal courts in California ruled this month that the California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) cannot force churches to cover abortions in their employee health insurance plans. The rulings found the mandate to violate the churches' first amendment rights, and the state will have to pay $1.4 million towards the churches' attorneys fees.

Alliance Defending Freedom filed lawsuits on behalf of several churches in 2015 and 2016 after the DMHC announced a state mandate that abortion be covered in health insurance plans. Emails discovered during the lawsuit revealed that Planned Parenthood influenced the California agency's policies under a threat that they would push their own legislative solution.

“The government can’t force a church or any other religious employer to violate their faith and conscience by participating in funding abortion,” said ADF Senior Counsel Jeremiah Galus. “For years, California officials, in collaboration with Planned Parenthood, have unconstitutionally targeted faith-based organizations. This is a significant victory for the churches we represent, the conscience rights of their members, and other religious organizations that shouldn’t be ordered by the government to violate some of their deepest faith convictions.”

“In both cases, the courts ruled that the U.S. Constitution protects the churches’ freedom to operate according to their religious beliefs, which include their belief in the sanctity of unborn lives,” ADF also noted.

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Michigan Gov. Signs Law to Strip Employers of Conscience Protections

On May 17, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation mandating that all employer-benefit plans that cover pregnancy care must also cover elective abortions. Employers must now choose between providing abortion coverage or dropping healthcare benefits.

The legislation was passed as an amendment to the Elliot Larson Civil Right Act, which provides protection from discrimination.

“This legislation was rapidly pushed by the proabortion legislature and now Governor Whitmer to promote their abortion agenda,” stated Genevieve Marnon, Legislative Director, Right to Life of Michigan. “To include an ‘action’ in the Elliot-Larsen law is a radical departure from the intent and spirit of the ELRCA, which was designed to prevent discrimination against people for immutable characteristics such as gender, race, religion etc.”

Rhode Island Gov. Signs Bill to Cover Abortion with Tax Dollars

Rhode Island Gov. Daniel McKee (D)

On May 18, Rhode Island Gov. Daniel McKee (D) signed legislation mandating the use of tax dollars to cover abortions for state employees and Medicaid recipients.

The "Equality in Abortion Coverage Act" overrides a previous state law, which prohibited abortion from being covered under Rhode Island's state health insurance.

“Here in Rhode Island, we will always protect a woman's right to choose and ensure equal access to these crucial health care services,” McKee said in a press release. “As Governor, I am proud to sign this bill into law and I was proud to include related funding in my budget proposal this year. Thank you to all the legislative leaders and advocates who worked tirelessly to get this legislation over the finish line.”

“The purpose of Medicaid is to expand access to health care, not to limit it,” said Lt. Governor Sabina Matos. “I'm proud that after years of work, the passage of the Equality in Abortion Coverage Act has eliminated unjust restrictions on who can afford to access to reproductive health care in Rhode Island. This victory for equity in health care was only possible due to the passionate advocacy of the citizens who made their voice heard year after year here at the State House.”

Taxpayer-funded abortion was not universally supported by "pro-choice" democratic legislators. Some legislators, like Rep Charlene Lima (D), argued that forcing pro-life taxpayers to foot the bill for abortions is "fundamentally wrong."

“It is fundamentally wrong to ask the taxpayers to pay for Medicaid abortions and abortion coverage under taxpayer-funded state insurance plans … I plan to vote no,” Lima said. “The taxpayers who have a fundamental belief against abortion are going to have to pay for it. Don’t say the taxpayers aren’t going to pay for it, we know they are.”

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Granite City Abortion Clinic Hospitalizes 13-Year Old During Abortion

photo taken by a pro-life advocate
outside Hope Clinic on April 28

A newly released 911 recording reveals that on April 28, Hope Clinic for Women in Granite City, Illinois hospitalized a 13-year-old girl who just had an abortion.

Operation Rescue reported earlier this month that the clinic hospitalized patients at least four times between March and April of 2023. This April 28 emergency was the fourth of those incidents. Operation Rescue did not expect to receive any 911 records at the time because RuralMed EMS, a private ambulance service based over an hour away from Hope Clinic, provided transportation. It turns out that RuralMed EMS secured a contract with Effingham County to be dispatched through the public 911 service. This was one such instance.

During the 911 call, a staffer told the dispatcher that the girl just had a D&C abortion and was suffering from an "anterior perforation." No further information about the girl's condition is available. Granite City refused to provide redacted dispatch reports to Operation Rescue, and the 911 dispatcher didn't ask any further questions about the patient's condition before sending an ambulance.

D&C abortions are usually done during the first trimester. They involve the use of suction (often through a vacuum aspirator) to pull the preborn child from a mother's womb. This suction often violently tears the child's body apart. Potential complications include uterine perforations and infection, which can lead to infertility.

The Hope Clinic employee requested that the girl be transferred to Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. That hospital is 20 minutes away, but there is a hospital directly across the street from Hope Clinic. Barnes is a level 1 trauma center capable of handling more serious injuries, and Hope makes this request frequently. This indicates that the average severity of injuries caused by Hope Clinic is high.

“We hope and pray that this poor girl lived through this deadly ordeal,” said Troy Newman, President of Operation Rescue. “If so, we pray for her as she begins a long journey of physical and emotional healing from the repeated forms of victimization that no child should ever have to endure.”

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Nebraska Gov. Signs 12-Week Abortion Limit

Gov. Jim Pillen (R) signing LB574

On May 22, Nebraska Gov Jim Pillen (R) signed legislation prohibiting elective abortions after 12 weeks gestation. The law, which went into effect immediately, includes exceptions for rape, incest, and when the mother's life is in danger.

Nebraska's prior limit was at 20 weeks gestation.

"Today is a historic day in the State of Nebraska. It is a day where we are standing up and protecting our kids so that they can have a better and brighter future," said Governor Pillen. "LB574 is the most significant win for social conservatives in a generation, and is part of what has been a historic legislative session with senators voting for policies that protect our kids, cut taxes, grow agriculture, and defend our Nebraska values."

“The leadership shown by Governor Pillen led us to the place where we can now witness further safeguards for children in the womb,” said Sandy Danek, Executive Director of Nebraska Right to Life. 

“While this law does not go as far as any of us would have wanted, the lives it saves have an impact on Nebraska families and creates the possibility for life-affirming alternatives.” Danek referred to The Nebraska Heartbeat Act, which would have prohibited abortion after six weeks gestation. That bill was one vote short of breaking a filibuster.

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52nd Annual Right to Life Convention Begins June 23

National Right to Life will hold its 52nd annual convention on June 23rd to help equip pro-life advocates with skills and knowledge they can use to benefit the pro-life cause.

Visit nrlconvention.com to register if you would like to attend the event.

WHAT:

52nd Annual National Right to Life Convention

WHERE:

Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh International Airport Hotel

1111 Airport Blvd.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15231

WHEN:

Friday, June 23 – Saturday, June 24, 2023

WHO:

Featured speakers include:

Seth Dillon, The Babylon Bee CEO

Erik Rosales, EWTN News Nightly Capitol Hill Correspondent

Benjamin Watson, Former NFL tight end, pro-life speaker and author National Right to Life President Carol Tobias

Olivia Gans Turner, co-founder of Women Exploited by Abortion and former director of American Victims of Abortion (A.V.A.)

Alex Schadenberg, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition President

Writer, author, and bioethics expert Wesley J. Smith, J.D., Discovery Institute & Humanize Podcast Host

Tom Glessner J.D., National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA) Founder and President

Lauren Eden, Abortion Survivors Network

Amy Ford, Embrace Grace President

Visit nrlconvention.com to learn more.

Montana Gov Signs Bill Outlawing Dismemberment Abortions

On May 16, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte signed another set of pro-life bills designed to regulate abortion businesses and ensure that Medicaid funds are not used to cover elective abortions. One of these bills outlawed dismemberment abortion, and another prohibits abortion at 24 weeks gestation. Both of these laws were blocked by Judge Mike Menahan after Planned Parenthood challenged them.

Abortionists opt for dismemberment abortions (otherwise known as dilation and evacuation abortions) during the second trimester or later. At these stages, the child has developed too much for the abortion pill or vacuum aspiration methods to be effective.

Dismemberment abortions involve an abortionist reaching into a mother's womb through her dilated cervix with metal forceps. The abortionist uses these forceps to tear the arms and legs from the unborn child's body and crush the child's skull.

“Dismemberment abortion for nontherapeutic or elective reasons is a barbaric practice, dangerous for the mother, and demeaning to the medical profession,” Gov. Gianforte said during a bill signing ceremony. “House Bill 721 makes clear that it has no place in Montana.”

The 24-week ban would have required abortion businesses to perform ultrasounds on any women who seek abortions to confirm that the child is not viable. The abortion business would need to keep written documentation confirming the child isn't viable.

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New York Gov. Signs Legislation Promoting Abortion Pills

On May 2, New Yock Gov Kathy Hochul (D) signed legislation requiring publicly-funded university systems to facilitate access to the abortion pill.

The new law allows campuses to comply either by hiring abortion pill providers or by referring students to providers. In either case, taxpayer dollars would be used to promote abortion to students at publicly funded universities. The law is set to take effect on August 1.

“Our state has, from the beginning, fought this great fight,” Hochul said at a press conference. “Abortion was legal in New York three years before the rest of the nation, before Roe v. Wade was decided. And we’re going to do everything in our power to stop the backslide while expanding reproductive rights here in our state.”

“And I know that there are states where these battles are going to be waged, which is why I’ve taken action as Governor to make sure that New York remains a sanctuary for anyone seeking reproductive care, that abortion remains safe, accessible, and legal in our state.”

In the same press conference, Hochul advocated for the ratification of the long-dead Equal Rights Amendment, stating that it would "enshrine abortion rights in our Constitution."

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Nevada Legislators Advance Measure to Create Constitutional Right to Abortion

On May 10, Nevada lawmakers voted to advance a proposed constitutional amendment creating a right to abortion.

The description of the proposed amendment says that it,

“guarantees each individual in this State a fundamental right to reproductive freedom; authorizes the State to regulate abortion care after fetal viability with certain exceptions; and prevents the State from penalizing, prosecuting or taking any other adverse action against an individual or entity for exercising the right to reproductive freedom or for aiding or assisting another individual in exercising his or her right to reproductive freedom.”

To amend the state constitution, legislators must pass the proposal again in 2025 for it to appear on the ballot for voters in 2026.

Abortion is already legal through 24 weeks under Nevada law. This amendment would further cement and expand abortion in the state. Nevada Right to Life argues that the vague and broad language in the amendment would do far more than its description states.

In a legislative alert, Nevada Right to Life argued that the amendment would allow abortion through all nine months of pregnancy, eliminate parental consent, and remove safety regulations.

SJR7 is poorly conceived, poorly written, and is an over-broad word salad that at best will keep Nevada Courts occupied for a decade deciding what it really means and at worst turn Nevada into an abortion industrial complex preying on one of the greatest tragedies a woman faces.

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California Lawsuit Intends to Strike Down Assisted Suicide Laws

A coalition of groups launched a lawsuit challenging California's assisted suicide law on April 25, 2023. The coalition intends to take it all the way to the Supreme Court to strike down assisted suicide laws across the country.

Plaintiffs argue that "California’s assisted suicide law is a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the equal protection and substantive due process clauses in the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution." A synopsis of their argument can be found on the coalition's website here.

The Americans with Disabilities Act defines a "terminal disease" as a disability. Thus, the coalition argues that assisted suicide laws discriminate against those with terminal diseases by prescribing them radically different care. These laws steer people towards prescribed death rather than supportive services.

It should be noted that assisted suicide is also prescribed to people with non-terminal diseases and conditions. In some states, HIV, diabetes, or even anorexia are enough for states to allow assisted suicide.

The coalition consists of organizations with disabled members, individual persons with disabilities, and organizations that advocate for the disabled. Members of the coalition include the United Spinal Association, Not Dead Yet, Institute for Patients’ Rights, Communities Actively Living Independent and Free, Lonnie VanHook, and Ingrid Tischer.

Assisted suicide is currently legal in California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington. Vermont just passed a law legalizing assisted suicide for non-residents, and Oregon currently does not enforce its residency requirement.

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North Carolina Legislators Override Veto to Pass 12-Week Abortion Ban

On May 16, North Carolina legislators voted to override Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper's veto of a 12-week abortion ban.

The override votes were strictly along party lines, with Republicans voting as a block in favor of the pro-life law. The House voted 72-48, and the Senate voted 30-20.

The new law, taking effect July 1, will include exceptions for when the mother's life is at risk. In cases of rape or incest, abortion will remain legal until the 20th week of pregnancy. If the child is diagnosed with a life-threatening anomaly, abortion will be legal until 24 weeks.

North Carolina's current law bans abortion at 20 weeks.

The new law also creates a 72-hour waiting period after a mother first visits an abortionist, and it requires the first dose of the abortion pill regimen to be taken in the presence of a physician.

Finally, the law creates several pro-life policies that benefit women. It establishes eight weeks of paid parental leave for teachers and other state employees, and it provides $180 million for initiatives such as child care and foster care.

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US Supreme Court Upholds Indiana's Law Requiring Humane Treatment of Fetal Remains

A challenge to Indiana's law requiring abortion businesses to bury or cremate the remains of aborted children reached a decision at the US Supreme Court this month.

On May 1, the US Supreme Court ruled that it will not hear the challenge brought by an Indiana abortion business. It upheld a decision by the 7th US Circuit Court of Appeals, which held that the law did not violate the first amendment rights of abortion businesses.

The 7th Circuit wrote in its decision, “A moral objection to one potential implication of the way medical providers handle fetal remains,” the court’s opinion states, “is some distance from a contention that the state compels any woman to violate her own religious tenets.”

This is the second time the Supreme Court has upheld Indiana's fetal remains law. The court held in 2019 that the state had a legitimate interest in regulating the disposal of fetal remains and the law did not inhibit women from obtaining abortions.

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita wrote on Twitter, “The Supreme Court’s ruling will allow our state to treat unborn, innocent babies with the dignity they rightly deserve. My office will continue fighting to protect the right to life while the radical left dismisses this invaluable gift.”

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New Vermont Law Allows Non-Residents to Die by Assisted Suicide

On May 2, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott (R) signed a law making his state the first in the nation to legalize assisted suicide for non-residents.

Vermont's assisted suicide law originally required that any recipients of assisted suicide be residents of Vermont. By removing this requirement, Vermont has opened itself up for "assisted suicide tourism." Vulnerable people from other states will travel to Vermont to be killed by euthanasia.

Mary Hahn Beerworth, executive director of the Vermont Right to Life Committee, testified before a legislative committee in March.

“To be clear, Vermont Right to Life opposed the underlying concept behind assisted suicide and opposes the move to remove the residency requirement as there are still no safeguards that protect vulnerable patients from coercion,” Beerworth said.

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DeSantis Signs Bill Protecting Conscience Rights

On May 11, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed a bill protecting medical professionals and organizations from being forced to participate in abortions or other controversial procedures.

The law prohibits employers from taking adverse actions against employees who refuse to participate in certain services due to a conscience-based objection. The law defines a conscience-based objection as an objection “based on a sincerely held religious, moral, or ethical belief.” Laws requiring healthcare professionals to provide emergency medical treatment still apply.

Employers break the law if they fire, suspend, or discipline employees due to a conscientious objection.

In addition to medical professionals, the law protects individuals and organizations who provide payments for others' health care services.

“It is the intent of the Legislature to provide the right of medical conscience for health care providers and payors to ensure they can care for patients in a manner consistent with their moral, ethical, and religious convictions,” the legislation states. “Further, it is the intent of the Legislature that licensed health care providers and payors be free from threat of discrimination for providing conscience-based health care.”

The law also forbids the Department of Health and medical licensing boards from taking disciplinary action against medical professionals for taking public stances about healthcare services or public policy.

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Ohio Legislature Approves Amendment to Increase Majority Needed to Amend Constitution

On May 10, the Ohio House of Representatives voted to approve a resolution that would make it harder to amend the state's constitution. The change would require a sixty percent majority rather than the currently required simple majority. Voters will have the opportunity to vote on this change during a special election in August.

The Ohio Senate had already approved the resolution. The House made some changes, but the Senate quickly approved them after the House voted on May 10.

The resolution would also require citizen-driven ballot initiatives that would amend the Ohio constitution to collect signatures from all 88 counties.

Pro-abortion groups argue that it is not legal for the Ohio legislature to create an August special election by way of joint resolution rather than state law. If the resolution is challenged in court, it may prevent the August special election from taking place.

Pro-life advocates pushed for the resolution after pro-abortion groups submitted a ballot measure for an amendment that would create a constitutional right to abortion in the state. Pro-abortion groups are still gathering the signatures required to place that amendment on the state's November ballot. They face a deadline of July 5 to collect the necessary signatures.

The proposed pro-abortion amendment is also facing a lawsuit from pro-life groups who argue that it should be split into several separate proposals. As written, the amendment would create rights to contraception, fertility treatment, continuing one's own pregnancy, miscarriage care, and abortion.

Maryland Gov Signs Pro-Abortion Bills

Maryland Gov Wes Moore (D)

On May 3, Maryland Gov Wes Moore (D) signed a slew of pro-abortion bills into law. One of these advanced a proposed state constitutional amendment creating a right to abortion at all stages of pregnancy.

House Bill 705 will put a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot. If voters approve it, it would create a “fundamental right to reproductive freedom.” This right would apply through all stages of pregnancy.

Senate Bill 859 protects abortionists from penalties imposed by states with pro-life laws. If an abortionist flees to Maryland after breaking pro-life laws in another state, Maryland officials are prohibited from cooperating with the other state's investigation. Illinois passed a similar law during the lame-duck session in January.

Senate Bill 341 requires public universities to develop and implement a “reproductive health services plan.” This will likely involve taxpayer-funded abortion.

Senate Bill 786 prevents information about an abortion from entering public health records, health information exchanges, and electronic health networks. This legislation could put women's health at risk. Doctors may need medical history to help diagnose current health issues and determine what care to provide. That becomes difficult if information related to a prior abortion and any complications are withheld from medical records.

“It is clear that the public policy in Maryland views abortion as the only possible response to an unplanned pregnancy,” said Assistant House Minority Leader Delegate April Rose. “...There are many women who carry unplanned pregnancies to term, and they should get as much support from the state to access perinatal care, childcare, and even adoption services if they so desire. The types of policies this state is adopting not only support abortion but encourage it. As someone who was fortunate enough to be adopted by a loving family, I truly hope Maryland can focus on ways to support these mothers and the lives of their unborn babies.”

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