House backs bill saying life begins at conception

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February 2, 2006

By Mike Smith, AP Political Writer The Washington Times-Herald Thu Feb 02, 2006, 10:52 AM EST

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Women seeking abortions in Indiana would have to be informed in writing that life begins at conception under legislation approved Wednesday night by the Indiana House.

The bill, approved 70-30 and sent to the Senate, also would require women seeking abortions to be told that a fetus may feel pain and that an anesthetic or other painkilling medication may be provided during the procedure if the fetus has a gestational age of at least 20 weeks.

The House also passed a separate bill that would require abortion clinics to meet new building standards, which Planned Parenthood officials say would force the state’s nine clinics to shut down.

The informed-consent provisions, if they become law, would be added to a current statute that requires women to be told at least 18 hours before receiving an abortion that there are risks and alternatives to the procedure. The current law says that and other information must be conveyed by the physician who will perform the abortion, the referring doctor, a physician’s assistant and advanced practice nurse or a midwife.

Under the consent bill approved by the House on Wednesday, women also would have to be informed in writing at least 18 hours before getting an abortion that life begins at conception.

Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-Howe, was successful in amending that into the bill on pain provisions.

Some lawmakers said that there was no medical, scientific or religious consensus on when life begins, and there was no scientific evidence presented on the issue when the bill was considered in committee.

“It is a matter of faith,” said Rep. John Ulmer, R-Goshen. He said he believed through his faith that life begins at conception, but lawmakers should not “put our religious or faithful beliefs into a statute, into law, that can’t be backed up scientifically.”

Stutzman said he had not seen studies concluding that life begins at conception, but had concluded that through “personal experiences in forming my beliefs over my own life.”

Regarding the other parts of the bill, Rep. Tim Harris, R-Marion, said enough information was available in studies to show that “there is a very good possibility that a fetus may feel pain.” He said opponents who spoke against the bill talked a lot about women having to make tough decisions.

“I’m also concerned for the unborn child,” he said. “I didn’t hear a lot of talk about the unborn child that is about to undergo this procedure.”

The House voted 60-38 to approve another bill that would require abortion clinics to meet new building standards. The bill now moves to the Senate. Planned Parenthood has said that if the bill becomes law, it will fight it in court.

The bill sponsored by Stutzman would require abortion clinics to meet several physical standards such the size of doorways and hallways, along with having a staffed waiting room and a water fountain. The bill also includes specifications regarding washrooms, procedure rooms, and air conditioning and heating systems, among other things.

The standards are among many licensing rules the Indiana Department of Health drew up as a result of legislation passed last year. However, the proposed rules have not gained final approval and provisions regarding physical standards would not apply to existing clinics.

The bill would subject existing clinics to the physical standards.

“This is not intended to close down abortion clinics,” Stutzman said. “It is to make sure that when a pregnant woman goes in and makes this decision that she is protected.”

Democratic Rep. Peggy Welch of Bloomington, who opposes abortion rights, said if the bill becomes law, it could result in a lawsuit that could prevent proposed regulations more closely tied to health and safety at abortion clinics from taking effect.

“Even though I am strongly pro-life, I will not be able to vote for this bill,” Welch said.

Local State Reps. Dave Crooks, D-Washington; Bruce Borders, R-Jasonville; and Troy Woodruff, R-Vincenness, all voted in favor of both bills.

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