Vol. 77/No. 13      April 8, 2013

One of the North Dakota bills passed March 15 would ban most abortions after six weeks, when fetal heartbeats can be detected using an intrusive transvaginal ultrasound. At six weeks, many women are not even aware of pregnancy.

Doctors who perform abortions in violation of the new limits could face felony charges and up to five years’ imprisonment.

A second measure passed the same day would ban abortions based on genetic abnormalities or sex.

The North Dakota Legislature approved measures March 22 to prohibit all abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy and to require doctors performing abortions to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. It also approved holding a statewide referendum in 2014, seeking approval to amend the state constitution to include language upholding the “right to life … at any stage of development.” A similar “personhood” initiative was voted down in Mississippi in November 2011.

Gov. Jack Dalrymple signed three of the measures March 26. The ban on abortions after 20 weeks is pending.

“We’re trying to form one strong group to oppose this legislation,” said Jen Hoy of Stand Up for Women North Dakota, in a phone interview from Fargo. The group, formed in early March, organized rallies to oppose the proposed anti-abortion bills March 25 in Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, and Minot. “It’s important for abortion to be a safe and legal choice for women. If they take it away, women will have to go back to dangerous, illegal abortions. If these laws pass here, it will make it easier for other states to do the same.”

The Arkansas Legislature adopted a bill March 6 that would ban abortions after 12 weeks, when a fetal heartbeat can be detected using abdominal ultrasound, a less invasive procedure than transvaginal ultrasound. The legislature overrode an earlier veto by Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe, who called the measure “blatantly unconstitutional.”

The Center for Reproductive Rights in New York and the American Civil Liberties Union say they will challenge the law in federal court before it takes effect, 90 days after the Legislature adjourns in the coming weeks.  
 
 
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