A bill that would criminalize coercive abortion in Kansas has been approved by both the House and Senate and is now awaiting the signature of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. The legislation, known as House Bill 2436, was passed mainly along Republican Party lines, with proponents arguing that it aims to protect pregnant women from being coerced into having an abortion.
If signed into law, the bill would make it a felony to pressure a pregnant woman into getting an abortion through physical or financial threats. This includes tactics such as withholding legal documents, threatening arrest or deportation, controlling access to medications, or extortion. The proposed law in Kansas would impose some of the strictest penalties for coercive abortion in the country.
Supporters of the bill, like Rep. Rebecca Schmoe, emphasized the importance of protecting women who express a desire to continue their pregnancies from coercion. Schmoe shared her personal experience of being coerced into an abortion by a doctor when she was younger.
However, critics, including Democrat Rep. Jo Ella Hoye, raised concerns about the bill's lack of clarity on what constitutes coercion and the vagueness of certain provisions, such as defining a 'putative father.'
The bill has garnered praise from pro-life groups and researchers, with some citing studies that highlight the prevalence of pressure on women to choose abortion due to financial constraints or external influences. If the bill becomes law, violators could face hefty fines and up to 25 years of imprisonment for coercive actions related to stalking, human trafficking, blackmail, and other criminal offenses.
Pro-life organizations have expressed support for the legislation, commending the Kansas Legislature for prioritizing the protection of women and girls from coercion and abuse. They urge Gov. Kelly to sign the bill as a measure to safeguard women's reproductive choices and combat forced abortions.
