Bill Passed By Michigan Senate Would Make Coerced Abortion A Crime
LANSING (AP) - Coercing a woman to have an abortion would be a misdemeanor in Michigan, under a bill on its way to Gov. Rick Snyder.
The Senate approved the legislation Wednesday, 26-11 with all Democrats and one Republican voting against the measure which makes it a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $5,000; $10,000 if the accused is the father of the embryo or fetus. The House previously approved the bill and will have a final vote on the legislation before sending it to Snyder.
Republicans say the bill will protect women and victims of human trafficking.
But Democrats say the legislation is driven by politics and doesn't do much to protect women. They also note that the things defined in the bill as "coercion" are already illegal: stalking or assaulting a pregnant woman to intimidate her into having an abortion.
The GOP bill sponsor, state Rep. Amanda Price, acknowledged that the punishments would be the same as "for the underlying offense."
But Price said the legislation was necessary to define "coercion" so abortion clinics know what to ask women under a Michigan law requiring them to screen patients for possible coercion.
A 2012 state law requires abortion clinics to screen patients for coercion, but lawmakers' attempt at the time to make coercion a crime was removed before Snyder signed it.
Democrats unsuccessfully urged GOP senators to make it a crime to intimidate or pressure women to give birth if they're serious about protecting women from abuse.
"And regardless of how you feel about Roe v. Wade, these bills should be concerning," Democratic state Sen. Steve Bieda said, referring to the landmark Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion.
Bieda said the legislation could create potential court battles if Snyder signs it.
Ari Adler, a spokesman for Snyder said the governor will "review the legislation closely when it gets to his desk and decide then whether to sign it or not."
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