During debate over an amendment offered by the sponsor to clarify language, Rep Ryan Lane (R – San Juan) stated, “instead of claiming conscience protections are in other areas of the law, now would be the time to enshrine it [conscience protections].”
Recent California transplant and former Obama activist, HB 7 sponsor, Rep Linda Serrato, flat out refused to include conscience protections for every state employee.
Rep Bill Rehm (R- Bernalillo) asked, “Can a 14 year-old get an abortion today without her parent’s consent?” In response to the lack of response he received, he stated, “the avoidance of an answer is an answer.”
In fact, New Mexico has removed any laws that require parental involvement for a child seeking an abortion.
Representative Lane said, in response to questions as to whether or not the bill applies to children, “A child will rely on trusted adults?” That statement frankly terrifies me. I have children and that statement terrifies me. Again does this bill apply to an 8 year old. I’ve asked a straight forward question and am not getting an answer. This bill creates new statutory rights, I want to know what person it applies to. I just want to know does the bill apply to an 8 year old or not.”
“This bill sends a chilling affect across every public body and every public employee across the state. Ideologically driven legislation like this has exact opposite affect to what the sponsors proclaim, as it is a mandate on behavior to refer or participate in abortions and transgender procedures for every public employee across the state,” said Elisa Martinez founder and executive director of New Mexico Alliance for Life. “HB 7 redefines the meaning of discrimination in the most broadest and irresponsible terms to proclaim anyone who opposes cross-sex hormones or surgery or abortion is in violation of the act and thereby ripe for penalty.”
New Mexico Alliance for Life submitted over
4,500 petitions to Stop HB 7 from concerned citizens across the state. The bill now heads to the New Mexico House Floor for a final vote before heading to the Senate for concurrence and further debate.
An amendment was offered by Representative Gail Chasey (D- Bernalillo) for penalties to apply only to a public body, rather than an individual public employee. The amendment passed on an 11-0 vote.
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