Michigan House to Vote on 20-Week Abortion Ban, Pro-Life Bills

State   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Jun 12, 2012   |   6:13PM   |   Lansing, MI

The Michigan state House will soon vote on Prolife Bus, an omnibus bill that contains several pro-life measures — including a ban on abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy because science shows unborn children have the capacity to feel pain.

On June 7, the Michigan House Health Policy Committee voted 13-5 to pass the Prolife Bus bill, which represents the largest collection of prolife legislation ever addressed at one time in the Michigan legislature. House Bill 5711 is an omnibus bill combining several currently introduced pro-life bills into one large new bill.

Right to Life of Michigan Legislative Director Ed Rivet said, “The resolve of the pro-life majority on the House Health Policy Committee was unwavering. The best interests of women, their unborn children and the state of Michigan were well-served by the committee members who voted to pass the Pro-life Bus bill.”

Today, pro-abortion activists from Planned Parenthood rallied at the state capital in opposition to the pro-life legislation.

About 200 Planned Parenthood supporters have gathered at Michigan’s Capitol to protest legislation aimed at restricting and regulating abortion practices. The group ringed the Capitol’s Rotunda Tuesday chanting, “This is our house,” and “We’ll remember in November.” Later, they filled the gallery of the House, which is expected to consider the legislation this week.

Proposals include requiring a doctor or assistant to perform screening before an abortion to ensure a pregnant woman isn’t being coerced, and banning abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.Supporters call the measures common-sense, overdue reforms. Critics say they are confusing, contradictory and covered by state laws.

House Bill 5711 is an omnibus bill combining seven introduced pro life bills into one large bill (45 pages). Omnibus bills of this nature have become common in Lansing and are referred to by the shortened moniker of a “bus.” Right to Life of Michigan provided LifeNews a description of the bills and says it is urging pro-life advocates to contact members of the state legislature now to support the bill by going here. The bill package includes:

Coercive Abortion Prevention – screening women seeking abortions for possible coercion to abort, require an anti-coercion sign posted in abortion clinics. (HB 5134 & 5182) The two additional new bills attached to the Bus, HB 5712-13, complete the Coercive Abortion Prevention package by defining coercion to abort as a crime and providing penalties. (HB 4798-99) In addition, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act and its penalty bill (HB 5543 & 5544) are combined into HB 5712-13. The Pain-Capable bill mimics bills passed in 6 other states making it a crime to abort a child after 20 weeks of pregnancy based on the unborn child’s ability to experience pain.

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Humane disposition of aborted babies – require bodies of aborted children to be buried or cremated. (SB 25 & 54 or HB 4119-4120)

Prohibit “Webcam” abortions – prohibits prescribing abortion pill by remote consulting over the Internet. (HB 4688/SB 420)

Abortion clinic licensing – require any abortion clinic or private physician office advertising outpatient abortion services to be licensed as a Freestanding Outpatient Surgical Facility. (HB 5522)

Abortionist malpractice insurance – require abortionists to carry $1 million in malpractice insurance or carry an equivalent bonded surety. (SB 876)

RLM says, “There is a lot to talk about with this effort, but it all comes down to an abortion industry that has long avoided proper regulation or compliance with existing laws and safety standards. The pattern of turning a blind eye to abortion clinic practices for 39 years must come to an end.”