- After passage by the Indiana General Assembly, the state’s near-total abortion ban was signed late Friday by Gov. Eric Holcomb.
- The law bans abortion except in cases of rape, incest, fatal fetal anomalies and when the life of the pregnant person is at danger.
- Republicans attempted to remove the exceptions, but failed. The law goes into effect Sept. 15.
Indiana has approved a near-total ban on abortion that will take effect Sept. 15, making the state the first in the nation to pass sweeping abortion restrictions since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June.
Gov. Eric Holcomb announced late Friday he had signed the measure, known as Senate Bill 1, within an hour of its passage, capping a marathon day that saw both chambers pass the bill outlawing abortion except for several narrow exceptions.
“Following the overturning of Roe, I stated clearly that I would be willing to support legislation that made progress in protecting life,” Holcomb said. “In my view, (the bill) accomplishes this goal following its passage in both chambers of the Indiana General Assembly with a solid majority of support.”
Prior to the law, Indiana abortion providers reported treating patients coming from other states with existing abortion bans. That made international news when a 10-year-old rape victim from Ohio received abortion care in Indiana.
Indianapolis OBG/YN Dr. Caitlin Bernard shared the girl’s story and spoke out strongly against the bill as it made its way through the General Assembly earlier this week.
“I am deeply disturbed by the bill being considered by the Indiana legislature,” Bernard said on Twitter. “I’ve practiced medicine for 12 years and follow a code of ethics, so I know medicine is not about exceptions. Every person deserves to have equal access to the best medical care.”
As a doctor, I am deeply disturbed by the bill being considered by the Indiana legislature. I’ve practiced medicine for 12 years and follow a code of ethics, so I know that medicine is not about exceptions. Every person deserves to have equal access to the best medical care.
— Caitlin Bernard (@drcaitbernard) August 3, 2022
The Biden administration rebuked the ban’s adoption Saturday with White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre describing it as “a devastating step.” Earlier in the week, President Biden signed an executive order supporting individuals traveling out state for an abortion.
“It’s another radical step by Republican legislators to take away women’s reproductive rights and freedom, and put personal health care decisions in the hands of politicians rather than women and their doctors,” she said. “Yesterday’s vote, which institutes a near-total abortion ban in Indiana, should be a signal to Americans across the country to make their voices heard. Congress should also act immediately to pass a law restoring the protections of Roe – the only way to secure a woman’s right to choose nationally.”
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Indiana’s General Assembly was among the earliest Republican-led state legislatures to debate tighter abortion laws after the Supreme Court ruling in June that removed constitutional protections for the procedure. But it is the first state to pass a ban through both chambers, after West Virginia House of Delegates members passed up the chance to move forward with that state’s abortion bill in July.
Late Friday, the Indiana Senate voted 28-19 to approve the near-total ban the House had passed earlier in the day.
“It makes Indiana one of the most pro-life states in the nation,” said Rep. Wendy McNamara, R-Evansville.
The bill passed the House, 62-38, on Friday afternoon. The chamber’s 71 Republicans split, with nine voting against the bill. The party has been divided on the issue with some feeling the bill goes too far in restricting abortion and others feeling it doesn’t go far enough.
McNamara carried the bill in the House. She said Friday the goal of the bill was to strengthen protections for women and babies. The majority of Republicans wanted to see a stronger bill, without exceptions for rape and incest, but most ultimately settled for what they could get passed.
“Ultimately, they’re looking at the opportunity for 99% of abortions in the state of Indiana to be eliminated one way or the other,” she said after the vote Friday.
No Democrats voted in favor of the bill.
As the House’s soft-spoken chaplain led the chamber in an invocation to open the final