Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards
Late last week Gov. John Bel Edwards signed into law Louisiana HB 1081, the Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Act, now known as Act 264.
The bill, authored by Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Bossier, and carried on the Senate floor by Sen. Beth Mizell, R-Franklinton, protects unborn babies by ending the brutal practice of dismemberment abortion in Louisiana. A dismemberment abortion, a subset of D&E abortions, is a second trimester abortion method where the abortionist uses forceps to seize and tear body parts from a live, unborn child.
The bill passed both the House and the Senate by overwhelming margins. Louisiana is the sixth state to pass the Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Act.
The following comments were made after the governor signed the bill:
* Author Rep. Mike Johnson:
“As I explained on the House floor, the Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Act legislation is more than just good public policy. This legislation is a statement about who we are as a people. In Louisiana, we believe every human life is valuable and worthy of protection, and no civil society should allow its unborn children to be ripped apart. Incredible as it seems, we needed a law to say that. We have it now.”
* Louisiana Right to Life Legislative Director Deanna Wallace:
“Dismemberment abortion kills a baby by tearing her apart limb from limb. Before the first trimester ends, the unborn child has a beating heart, brain waves, and every organ system in place. Dismemberment abortions occur after the baby has reached these milestones. Thankfully, the Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Act will stop these abortions in Louisiana, of which 1,000 are performed each year in Louisiana.”
* Louisiana Right to Life Executive Director Benjamin Clapper:
“Thanks to Gov. Edwards’ signature, Louisiana becomes the sixth state in the nation to protect unborn babies from the brutal practice of dismemberment abortions. We appreciate Rep. Mike Johnson and Sen. Beth Mizell for their leadership in passing this law through the Louisiana Legislature.”