KOLKHORST SPONSORS ‘BORN ALIVE’ ABORTION BILL IN SENATE
State Senator Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) has co-authored legislation which would require doctors to provide medical treatment for a fetus born alive after an abortion.
Dubbed the Texas Born-Alive Infant Protection Act, the motion consists of House Bill 16, filed Thursday by Representative Jeff Leach (R-Plano), and Senate Bill 23, to be filed today (Friday) by Kolkhorst.
Similar legislation was filed federally last month, but was blocked by Democrats in the Senate.
This legislation contains much of the same language, and comes after recent debate in New York and Virginia, regarding late-term abortions.
The Texas bills dictate that abortion doctors “must exercise the same degree of professional skill, care, and diligence to preserve the life and health of the child” that they would give to “any other child born alive at the same gestational age.”
Physicians who fail to do so could be liable to the state for a civil penalty of “not less than $100,000”, to be collected by the state attorney general. The proposals would also allow for a parent or legal guardian to sue a doctor if they fail to provide adequate care to the newborn.
Abortion rights advocates argue live births like this don’t happen, especially in Texas, which in 2013 banned abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy unless in cases of severe fetal abnormality, or a woman’s life is threatened. According to the Guttmacher Institute, which supports abortion rights, just 1 percent of all abortions happen after 21 weeks of pregnancy.
Kolkhorst said Thursday the U.S. Congress has failed to protect babies born after a failed abortion, but she hopes conservatives in Texas will “do what is right, in a Texas way”. She added “where D.C. is unclear, we’re going to be very clear here in Texas. This is about saving the life of infants”.
Leach said in a media release that Texas legislators will “draw a line in the sand”, stating babies who survive abortion deserve full medical care and protection of the law. Governor Greg Abbott praised Leach and Kolkhorst’s efforts, calling them “pro-life champions” and demanding people take a stand against the “growing support for infanticide”.
Thank you, Sen. Kolkhorst and Rep. Leach, for defending those unable to defend themselves. It is heartbreaking that such a law is even necessary.
Thank you, Sen. Kolkhorst and Rep. Leach, for defending those who are unable to defend themselves. It is heartbreaking that such a law is even necessary.