The Wyoming Senate has passed a bill that would outlaw chemically-induced abortions.
Physicians say the medication is a safe way to handle the procedure, but lawmakers for the bill say the procedure is cruel. The bill's sponsor, Riverton Rep. Tim Salazar said the choice to bring the bill forward was a moral one.
The bill does allow exceptions, for instance, in the event of a miscarriage and if carrying the pregnancy could endanger the life or health of the mother.
If a doctor were to violate the law, it would be a misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in prison, a fine of up to $750, or both.
Several lawmakers opposed the bill, saying it could put a doctor in a difficult position and that requiring women to have an invasive procedure could be more dangerous.
Speaking after the bill's passage, Casper Sen. Bill Landen explained he could not vote for the bill because of the effects it could have on women, especially if a woman is seeking the procedure in the case of rape or incest.
"Unfortunately, the bill that we just passed wipes out the ability for families to have that conversation with their doctor. I can't imagine that we would want to saddle women with that sort of tragedy for the rest of their lives. But that's what this bill does," he said.
The bill will be sent to the House for consideration.
Have a question about this story? Contact the reporter, Catherine Wheeler, at cwheel11@uwyo.edu.
