The North Carolina Republican-controlled House passed a controversial bill on Wednesday, limiting most abortions to the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
The suggested bill would have an effect on women who are traveling from conservative Southern states near North Carolina, where the procedure is banned or strictly regulated after Roe v. Wade's ruling was overruled by the US Supreme Court.
Furthermore, if the bill is approved, medical practitioners would be obligated to be physically present while administering abortion medication.
Additionally, anyone who sends abortion pills via mail or conducts telemedicine consultations for abortions without the presence of a physician would face a fine of $5,000.
North Carolina's 12-Week Abortion Ban
NBC reported that the proposed legislation would ban elective abortions after the first trimester except in cases of rape, incest, life-limiting fetal anomalies, or medical emergencies.
Additionally, the proposed legislation includes measures to simplify the adoption process and enhance healthcare availability for expectant mothers and children.
According to ABC, the proposed legislation, titled "The Act for the Well-being of Women, Children, and Families," provides allowances for cases of rape and incest for pregnancies up to 20 weeks and for fetal abnormalities up to 24 weeks of gestation.
The bill has sparked controversy among abortion rights supporters, who argue that it would restrict access to healthcare and interfere with women's bodily autonomy.
Abortion Rights Supporters Protest in North Carolina
According to Reuters, hundreds of abortion rights supporters gathered outside the North Carolina General Assembly to watch lawmakers vote on the bill, carrying signs with slogans such as "Let Healthcare Workers Do Their Job" and "Respect Bodily Autonomy."
Planned Parenthood South Atlantic spokesperson Jillian Riley said the restrictions would have detrimental effects on the health of North Carolina residents and others from the Southeast.
Opponents also criticized the fact that the accord was negotiated exclusively by Republicans over several months without any official public engagement.
The proposed legislation was introduced after a study by the Society of Family Planning revealed a 37% increase in abortions in North Carolina during the first two months after the Supreme Court overruled federal abortion rights in June 2022, the highest among all states.
Between the ruling and six months afterward, the monthly average of abortions in North Carolina was 3,978, an increase of 788 from the average of the two months prior to the ruling.
Governor's Response
In a message to his supporters, Democratic Governor Roy Cooper labeled the bill as an intolerable and outrageous assault on women in our state.
During his campaign last year, Cooper sought to elect legislative candidates who he believed would aid in maintaining his vetoes on abortion-related issues.
On the other hand, the Associated Press reported that advocates of the bill, such as Republican Senator Joyce Krawiec of Forsyth County, claimed that it was necessary for North Carolina to progress towards recognizing the sanctity of human life.
She further stated that the bill has the potential to save lives and enhance the health outcomes of numerous expectant mothers.
Almost all abortions after 20 weeks of gestation are currently prohibited in North Carolina.
The proposed legislation would reduce that to 12 weeks, with new exceptions in cases of fetal abnormalities, incest, or rape.
The present provision, which permits abortion when the pregnant woman's life is at risk, would continue to be in place.
If the bill becomes law, it would represent a significant shift in abortion policy in North Carolina and could have far-reaching consequences for women seeking abortions in the state.
