Indiana passes abortion legislation (AP)

Governor Eric Holcomb of Indiana has signed a new abortion law, Senate Bill 1.

The Associated Press described the law as a “near-total ban” on abortion, even while permitting abortion “before 10-weeks post-fertilization,” as well as in cases of rape, incest, protection of the life and health of the mother, and lethal fetal anomaly.

National Right to Life and Indiana Right to Life denounced the bill as “a phony bill” that was “drafted without consultation from any state, local or national pro-life group or expert.”

The Indiana Catholic Conference described the bill as “a step in the right direction,” but added that it “still needs improvement in order to provide meaningful protection for preborn children. Most importantly, the bill needs stronger enforcement mechanisms and a continued tightening of the language around exceptions.”