STATEHOUSE (April 3, 2019) – The Indiana Senate recently supported State Rep. Peggy Mayfield’s (R-Martinsville) bill prohibiting dismemberment abortions in Indiana, which could soon become law.
The medical term for the procedure is dilation and evacuation, or D&E. The term D&E also applies to what is known as a partial-birth abortion, which has been banned at the federal level since 2003.
“This legislation had bipartisan support in the House, indicating just how necessary it is,” Mayfield said. “This is a brutal and gruesome procedure, performed while the baby is alive in the mother’s womb. Most Hoosiers are absolutely appalled to learn what the procedure entails and are shocked that it is currently legal in Indiana. As lawmakers, we should protect those who cannot protect themselves.”
Mayfield’s proposal contains exclusions for cases where mothers face life-threatening risks. Under this bill, a physician who performs the procedure in cases where the exclusions don’t apply could be charged with a Level 5 felony, which carries a possible sentence of one to six years in prison and a fine up to $10,000. In addition, the doctor could be subject to damages in a civil law-suit.
According to Mayfield, dismemberment abortions were performed 27 times in Indiana last year. She said the bill prohibits the practice of extracting a fetus from the mother’s womb using clamps or scissors via disarticulation while the heart is still beating.
House Enrolled Act 1211 is now eligible for action by the governor. To learn more, visit iga.in.gov.
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State Rep. Peggy Mayfield (R-Martinsville) represents House District 60,
which includes portions of Morgan and Monroe counties.
She is the assistant majority floor leader and serves
on the House Ways and Means, Public Policy and Insurance committees.
Click here for a high-resolution photo.
