Bill Adding Exception to NH Abortion Ban Headed to Governor

By HOLLY RAMER, Related Press

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A invoice including an exception to New Hampshire’s new abortion ban for instances by which the fetus has been identified with “abnormalities incompatible with life” is heading to the desk of Gov. Chris Sununu, who has mentioned he’ll signal it.

Since Jan. 1, New Hampshire has outlawed abortion after 24 weeks gestation, with exceptions just for pregnancies that threaten the mom’s life or well being. Docs who present late-term abortions can face felony costs, and ultrasounds are required earlier than any abortion.

With 9 Republicans becoming a member of all 10 Democrats, the Senate voted 19-5 in favor of a invoice to restrict the usage of ultrasounds and add the “abnormalities incompatible with life” exception. The invoice handed the Home final month.

Sen. Becky Whitley, D-Hopkinton, mentioned she was grateful to girls who shared heartbreaking tales, together with a Brookline girl who discovered 21 weeks into her being pregnant that certainly one of her twins wouldn’t survive on her personal after start.

“We all know that there are lots of extra girls who’ve these deeply private tales who will not be snug attending a public listening to who can attest that, sure, these circumstances are uncommon, however they occur to actual households,” she mentioned.

The Senate rejected an modification proposed by Sen. Regina Birdsell, R-Hampstead, who mentioned she understood the need so as to add an exception however felt the invoice raised too many questions.

“Incompatible with life … is it simply minutes, is it days, is it weeks? We don’t know that,” she mentioned.

With the U.S. Supreme Court docket contemplating a case that would severely erode abortion rights, state legislatures throughout the nation are taking on measures to both limit the process additional, or guarantee entry to it. New Hampshire lawmakers are contemplating no less than eight payments on either side of the difficulty.

Amongst people who have handed the Home are payments that might permit well being care employees to refuse to take part within the supply of contraception or abortion care, and one other that might get rid of the protection zone that retains protesters no less than 25 toes (7.5 meters) away from abortion clinics.

Copyright 2022 The Related Press. All rights reserved. This materials will not be printed, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.