The Senate Judiciary Committee heard HB 1217 concerning coerced abortion sponsored by Sens. Brown and Rogers. Author Rep. King presented the bill which requires that a pregnant woman seeking an abortion must be informed that a coerced abortion is illegal, certain medical personnel must inquire with a pregnant woman seeking an abortion whether the abortion is coerced, and certain medical personnel who believe that an abortion is coerced must offer the pregnant woman information on certain services, the use of a telephone, and an alternative exit from the health care facility.
The bill also:
- adds a new Level 6 felony, if a person knowingly or intentionally coerces a pregnant woman into having an abortion,
- requires reports of a coerced abortion to law enforcement, and
- makes it a Class C infraction if a reproductive health facility knowingly employs a mandatory reporter who violates the mandatory reporting statute.
The bill was amended by consent to clarify law enforcement responsibilities after receiving a report under this law.
Several members of the public and the Attorney General’s Office testified in support of the bill. Several physicians and the Indiana Public Defenders Council testified in opposition to the bill. The bill passed as amended passed 6-1.
Read the bill at: http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2022/bills/house/1217