en en en en en en fr en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en
FRANKFORT, Ky. – A bill clarifying that doctors or clinics must report abortions induced by medication as well as all other abortions to the state passed a Senate committee Thursday, the first piece of abortion legislation to advance in this year's General Assembly.
But it won't be the last.
More than 30 lawmakers from the House and Senate calling themselves the "pro-life caucus" gathered at the Capitol Rotunda on Thursday to announce their anti-abortion agenda for the 2019 legislative session.
"We look forward to moving a pro-life agenda here in Kentucky in 2019," said Rep. Tim Moore, an Elizabethtown Republican.
While Republicans, who control the House and Senate, dominated the group, it included some Democrats.
Related:After striking out twice, GOP tries again to 'effectively' ban abortion
Gov. Matt Bevin, an anti-abortion Republican, also attended the event where lawmakers outlined several bills they plan to pass this session. They include:
Senate Bill 9, which would ban abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, usually at about six weeks. A similar measure, House Bill 100, has been filed in the House.
House Bill 5, to prohibit abortions for reason of sex, race or disability of the fetus.
Senate Bill 50, to clarify the law about reporting of abortions induced by medication.
And House Bill 148, which would ban abortions in Kentucky outright.
Rep. Joe Fischer, a Fort Thomas Republican who has filed anti-abortion measures for years, said HB 148 would take effect "on the day Roe v. Wade is reversed," referring to the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide.
Abortion-rights advocates held a press conference earlier at the Capitol to protest the incoming series of bills, which they said are meant to take control from women over their pregnancies and infringe on reproductive rights.
"All pregnancies are personal," said Kate Miller, advocacy director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky. "The best person to make that decision is the pregnant person herself."
Read this:Credit agency rebuts Gov. Matt Bevin's warning about pension bill
Tamarra Wieder, public affairs director for Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky, noted Thursday that the 2019 legislative session was only four days old and that "already we are fighting legislation that is stripping women of their right to access legal health care."
The ACLU has said some of the anti-abortion measures contemplated by lawmakers this year are unconstitutional, including the "fetal heartbeat" bill, and likely would be challenged in court.
Lawmakers gathered for the anti-abortion event said they aren't worried about a court challenge.
"We will continue to push back against that supposedly co-equal branch," said Moore, referring to the courts.
Later Thursday, the Senate Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Protection Committee voted to approve SB 50, the bill requiring health providers to report abortions induced by medication. It now goes to the Senate, where Republican Majority Leader Damon Thayer said it could be approved as soon as Friday.
The law already requires providers to report abortion statistics to the state, but sponsor Sen. Robby Mills, a Henderson Republican, said he wanted to specify the type of drug administered and clarify such pregnancy terminations are reported to the Kentucky Vital Statistics Branch. Such reports do not include any identifying information and are used by the state to report the number of abortions provided in Kentucky each year.
See also:Planned Parenthood, others seek $1.5M in legal fees in abortion case
Mills said his bill involves only specific drugs administered in a doctor's office or clinic for purposes of terminating a pregnancy and would not affect other medications, such as the over-the-counter "Plan B" pill, emergency contraception taken after unprotected sex.
Amber Duke, a spokeswoman for the ACLU of Kentucky, said her organization was studying the bill but didn't understand the need for it. The state's only abortion clinic, EMW Women's Surgical Center in Louisville, already reports all abortions, including those induced through medication, she said.
EMW last year reported providing about 3,200 abortions.
Mills said he wasn't aware of any violations but just wants to make sure the law was clear, saying he thought the current language was vague.
His bill also would require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to post on its website an annual report it compiles of abortions statistics, which is currently available on request from the agency.
More headlines:Kentucky lawmaker to withdraw bill that would gut open records law
Deborah Yetter: 502-582-4228; dyetter@courierjournal.com; Twitter: @d_yetter. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: courier-journal.com/deborahy.
Careers Staff Directory Accessibility Site Map Legals Our Ethical Principles Terms of Service Privacy Policy Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy PolicyDo Not Sell My Info / Cookie Policy
Contact Us Support Local Business Advertise Your Business Advertising Terms and Conditions Licensing & Reprints Help Center Subscriber Guide My Account Give Feedback