State legislatures across the country have made some great pro-life progress this year. Thanks to the hard work of pro-life advocates, legislators are protecting unborn children and expanding resources for pregnant women. Let’s look at some recent pro-life legislative successes and review the challenges we face from abortion advocates.
On April 14, the governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, endorsed the “Pregnancy and Parental Support Act,” which aims to safeguard unborn children from abortion at 6 weeks gestation, a stage when a baby’s heartbeat becomes detectable. The legislation mandates the allocation of state health department resources toward parenting support services, pregnancy assistance, and essential supplies such as diapers, parenting classes, and counseling. According to Lynda Bell, president of Florida Right to Life, the bill reflects a commitment to supporting women and girls facing unexpected pregnancies, providing over $25 million in assistance. This demonstrates the value Floridians place on both unborn children and their mothers.
On April 5, pro-life advocates achieved a significant victory when Idaho became the first state to enact legislation prohibiting the trafficking of minors for the purpose of procuring abortions. The bill, which was signed by Governor Brad Little following an exemplary effort by Right to Life of Idaho, makes it a crime for an adult to transport a pregnant minor within the state of Idaho for the purpose of obtaining an abortion with the intent to conceal the abortion from the minor child’s parents or guardian. The new law is based on the model law developed by the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC).
Kerry Uhlenkott, executive director of Right to Life of Idaho, expressed gratitude to Governor Brad Little and to all those who testified in favor of the legislation, who sent emails, made calls, and especially prayed for its passage and enactment. This victory would not have been possible without the hard work of pro-lifers.
The Kansas legislature successfully overrode three vetoes by Governor Laura Kelly, a pro-abortion governor. The “Born-Alive Infants Protection Act” requires healthcare providers to render the same degree of medical care to an infant that survives an abortion as any newborn of the same gestational age. Another veto was overridden on the Abortion Pill Reversal (APR) consent law, which requires a woman to be informed that a chemical abortion may be reversible. Finally, the legislature overrode the veto of a $2 million allocation of state funds to establish the “Alternatives to Abortion” (A2A) program. This program provides resources and promotes childbirth to women facing unplanned pregnancies.
“Jeanne Gawdun, Director of Government Relations for Kansans for Life, commended the legislature for their brave stance against the Governor’s extreme positions on abortion and infanticide. She emphasized the importance of ensuring women have access to potentially life-saving information and compassionate alternatives to abortion.
Governor Doug Burgum of North Dakota recently signed a series of bills aimed at protecting unborn children at all stages of gestation. Among these measures is a law criminalizing the coercion of women into obtaining abortions, along with legislation clarifying the state’s trigger and heartbeat laws. Additionally, another bill provides tax exemptions to incentivize adoptions, diaper purchases, and donations to organizations supporting maternity homes, child placing agencies, and pregnancy help centers. North Dakota Right to Life highlighted the significance of one of these bills, particularly its role in fostering a culture of life and promoting alternatives to abortion.”
Despite the challenges, our pro-life work continues. We remain committed to advocating for the rights of the unborn and opposing abortion on demand. We have seen encouraging steps forward, with several state legislatures enacting “shield laws” to protect abortion providers and those who assist them. Governors in Colorado, Hawaii, Minnesota, New Mexico, and Washington have recently signed such bills, demonstrating a growing recognition of the need to protect the rights of all.
Colorado’s governor enacted a “Deceptive Trade Practice” bill, which targets what abortion advocates label as “deceitful” and “manipulative” practices committed by pro-life entities like pregnancy resource centers. In particular, the bill states that pro-life entities engage in “deception” when advertising abortion pill reversal (APR), labeling it a “dangerous and deceptive practice that is not supported by science or clinical standards.”
However, the efficacy of APR in saving over 4,000 babies renders the question of deceit moot. Colorado has indicated that it will not enforce the new law against any “licensee” (of APR) “in the immediate future.” Nevertheless, we will continue to monitor this law and others that fail to fully protect mothers and their unborn children.
Daniel Miller is responsible for nearly all of National Right to Life News' political writing.
With the election of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency, Daniel Miller developed a deep obsession with U.S. politics that has never let go of the political scientist. Whether it's the election of Joe Biden, the midterm elections in Congress, the abortion rights debate in the Supreme Court or the mudslinging in the primaries - Daniel Miller is happy to stay up late for you.
Daniel was born and raised in New York. After living in China, working for a news agency and another stint at a major news network, he now lives in Arizona with his two daughters.
