Kentucky Senate votes to restrict common abortion procedure

Frankfort, Ky., Mar 24, 2018 / 05:01 am

The Kentucky State Senate passed a bill Thursday that would ban dilation and evacuation abortions after the 11th week of pregnancy, with the exception of a medical emergency.

Were this bill to become law, it would be one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the US.

The bill passed overwhelmingly in the state's Senate March 22, with 31 votes in favor and only five against. Now the bill will move to the House of Representatives, where it will once again be voted on. An earlier version of the bill also passed by a wide margin in the state's House.

Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin (R) is pro-life and is likely to sign the law once it reaches his desk. This, however, will not happen for at least a few more days as both the state House and Senate are on recess until Tuesday.

"We welcome any effort to highlight the gruesome nature of abortion, and work towards the day when all unborn life is respected and welcomed into the world," Jason Hall, executive director of the Kentucky Catholic Conference, told Catholic News Agency.

Dilation and evacuation is used in 16 percent of abortions in Kentucky. It is mainly used during the second trimester of pregnancy.

Kentucky has one abortion clinic in the entire state, which was nearly closed last year.

If this bill were to become law, it would most likely face legal opposition from pro-abortion groups before it could actually be enforced. Similar abortion restrictions in Mississippi, Texas, Alabama, and Oklahoma have been struck down.