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Jim Carlin on Abortion |
As Reynolds inked the bill, backers' cheers nearly drowned out the echoing chorus of "My body, my choice" shouted by protesters just outside the door.
"I believe that all innocent life is precious and sacred," Reynolds said from her formal office before signing a bill that will outlaw nearly all abortions in the state. "And as governor, I have pledged to do everything in my power to protect it. And that's what I'm doing today."
Senate File 359 will take effect July 1. Under the legislation, physicians will be barred from performing most abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, about six weeks into a pregnancy--often before a woman realizes she's pregnant.
Legislative Outcome:Passed House, 51-46-3 (H.J. 901, May 1); passed Senate, 29-17-4, (S.J. 1013, May 1); Sen. Carlin voted YES; Signed by Governor (S.J. 1059, May 4, 2018)
Des Moines Register analysis, 3/22/17:SF471 says any person who intentionally terminates a pregnancy that has reached 20 weeks post-fertilization commits a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The bill allows exceptions to preserve the life of the mother or the fetus, or to avert a "serious risk" to the pregnant woman of "substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a bodily function." It also allows exceptions for fetal abnormalities where a child could not survive outside the womb. "Putting these criminal penalties on here puts a woman's life at risk immediately, because trying to save a woman's life now potentially makes a doctor a criminal," said Rep. Beth Woessel-Kroeschell, D-Ames.
Legislative Outcome:Passed House 55-43-3 on 4/5/17; State Rep. Carlin voted YES; Passed Senate 30-20-0 on 4/20; Signed by Gov. Branstad on 5/5.