By Bud Shaver
Late-Term Abortion BAN HB 390 which will restrict abortions after 20 weeks (based on viability) PASSED the first of two New Mexico House Committee hearings 4-3 on Friday February 20, 2015. It was amended during the committee hearing to go into IMMEDIATE effect once signed into law by New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez.
There were over 5 hours of public testimony with people testifying from all across New Mexico, the youngest of which was 12 (testifying in support of the bill.) HB 390 does contain a broad “health” exception and a “sexual abuse, rape, or incest” exception. Testimony was presented regarding the exceptions in the bill for rape, incest, and sexual abuse. Everyone is encouraged to attend future hearings and to give their testimony.
This bill, though not perfect, does have the potential of saving the lives of many viable babies currently scheduled for death in New Mexico. You can read the bill in its entirety here: LATE-TERM ABORTION BAN.
The second bill to pass the House REGULATORY & PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE was HB 391 (PARENTAL NOTIFICATION OF ABORTION ACT). This bill, “protects minors from sexual predators, protects parents’ rights and establishes an abortion doctor’s responsibility to notify parents before underage girls undergo an invasive abortion procedure.” You can read this bill in it’s entirety here: HB 391.
Both bills will now go to one more House Committee hearing and if passed then onto the House floor. If the bills pass the House floor then it is scheduled for two Senate Committee hearings before going to the Senate floor. Once passed by the Senate they will go the the desk of Gov. Susana Martinez for her signature.
This is the first of a long process, please continue to pray for everyone involved in this process.
For more information about these bills or to address questions about these bills contact NM Alliance for Life.
“For government is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For government is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong.” Romans 13:4
