The Senate Judiciary Committee heard HB 1211 on abortion matters, sponsored by Sen. L. Brown. The bill provides that a person may not knowingly or intentionally perform a dismemberment abortion unless reasonable medical judgment dictates that performing the dismemberment abortion is necessary to: (1) prevent serious health risks to the mother; or (2) save the mother’s life. The bill also provides that the penalty for performing a dismemberment abortion is a Level 5 felony, provides that certain individuals: (1) may petition for an injunction; (2) may bring an action for the recovery of damages; and (3) are entitled to attorney’s fees; if a dismemberment abortion is performed, and provides anonymity safeguards in court or administrative actions for a woman on whom a dismemberment abortion was performed. The bill also amends the definition of “abortion complication”.
The committee heard two hours of testimony in support of the bill and in opposition to the bill. The Indiana Solicitor General testified as to constitutional issues. The bill passed 7-3.
Read the bill at http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2019/bills/house/1211