STATEHOUSE (Jan. 26, 2022) – The Indiana House of Representatives yesterday approved with bipartisan support a bill authored by State Rep. Joanna King (R-Middlebury) to protect pregnant Hoosier women and their unborn children from coerced abortions.
Under House Bill 1217, it would be a felony in Indiana to coerce a woman into having an abortion. The bill also holds abortion clinics accountable for failing to report coercion to law enforcement. If passed into law, Indiana would join 18 other states that provide protections to women and babies from coerced abortions.
"Indiana has a strong history of protecting life, and it's critical we make sure our laws go further to protect pregnant mothers who are coerced into getting an abortion," King said. "We want to get these women the help they need to get out of a bad situation, and provide resources to support them and their unborn child."
According to a 2017 Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons study, nearly 75 percent of the 987 American women who participated in an after-abortion survey admitted that they experienced at least subtle forms of pressure to terminate their pregnancies.
King said the bill would require medical providers to ask women seeking an abortion if they have been coerced. If coercion is detected, the provider would give information about counseling and financial resources, provide the patient access to a telephone, and an alternative exit from the health care facility. The provider must also report the crime to law enforcement.
King said the legislation could also help victims of domestic violence or sex trafficking escape their abusers by providing a safe space for women to speak to medical providers privately.
Under King's bill, anyone who knowingly or intentionally coerces a pregnant woman to have an abortion commits a Level 6 felony, which is punishable by a prison term ranging from 6 months to 2.5 years and a fine of up to $10,000. Any medical facility that employs a mandatory reporter who fails to report coercion is subject to a Class C infraction.
Visit iga.in.gov for more information on House Bill 1217, which now moves to the Indiana Senate for further consideration.
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State Rep. Joanna King (R-Middlebury) represents House District 49,
which includes the eastern portion of Elkhart County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
PHOTO CAPTION: State Rep. Joanna King (R-Middlebury) presents her legislation to protect pregnant Hoosier women and their unborn children from coerced abortions Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022 at the Indiana Statehouse. The Indiana House of Representatives approved King's legislation making it a felony to coerce a woman into having an abortion, sending it to the Senate for further consideration. If passed into law, Indiana would join 18 other states that provide protections to women and babies from coerced abortions.
