Four key pro-life bills take effect today that protect vulnerable people at both the beginning and end of life. The Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, the Hear the Heartbeat Bill, the Criminal Abortion Dismemberment Act, and the Additional Protections Against Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide Act took effect at midnight.
Benjamin Clapper, Executive Director of Louisiana Right to Life, said the bills help keep Louisiana as one of the most pro-life states in the nation.
“Thanks to the Hear the Heartbeat Act, unborn children are now given a voice because their heartbeats will be heard and their ultrasound image will be more easily viewed,” he said. “Women will be empowered with these critically important aspects of their pregnancy, even in the midst of an abortion facility that has a financial interest in the woman choosing abortion.”
“Because of the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, unborn children are now spared from the pain of abortion. We believe through a conservative estimate that 150 unborn children will be now given the gift of life,” Clapper added.
“Louisiana is ranked as the top pro-life state in the nation, and I commend our Senators and Representatives, our Governor, and the great citizens of Louisiana for their support in enacting these new pro-life laws,” Clapper said.
The pro-life Louisiana leader gave LifeNews a rundown of what each piece of pro-life legislation going into law today does:
The Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, Louisiana Right to Life’s flagship piece of legislation, protects unborn children 20 weeks old (post-fertilization) and older based on the scientific evidence showing that the unborn child can feel pain at 20 weeks.
Another primary piece of legislation for Louisiana Right to Life, the Hear the Heartbeat Act, requires abortion facilities to make the unborn child’s heartbeat audible for the mother at least 24 hours prior to an abortion (unless she requests and signs an opt-out form). In addition, SB 708 improves the “Ultrasound Before Abortion” law by requiring abortion facilities to place the ultrasound screen in view of the woman (the woman then has the choice whether to view the ultrasound images of the unborn child).
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In addition to these new laws, the Criminal Abortion Dismemberment Act creates a specific crime for performing an abortion in the state of Louisiana if the abortionist is not licensed to practice medicine in Louisiana. Finally, the Additional Protections Against Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide Act better protects the disabled and ill from euthanasia and assisted suicide.
