A bill led by the Republican party, which aims to criminalize coercive abortion, is now on its way to the desk of Democratic Governor Laura Kelly.
House Bill 2436 was approved by both the House and Senate, with the Senate passing it last week and the House following suit this week, predominantly along party lines.
Under this proposed legislation, coercing a pregnant woman into having an abortion through physical or financial threats would constitute a felony. This includes tactics like withholding essential documents such as passports or immigration papers, threats of legal action or deportation, controlling access to prescribed medications, or engaging in extortion.
While all 50 states already have laws addressing coercion related to abortion, the Kansas bill stands out for its severe penalties.
In a January 18, 2019, photo, anti-abortion activists are seen protesting outside the U.S. Supreme Court during the March for Life in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)
During a hearing on Monday, Representative Rebecca Schmoe, a supporter of the bill, emphasized that threats against a woman who has expressed her wish to continue the pregnancy would now be punishable as a crime. Schmoe shared her personal experience of being coerced by a doctor into having an abortion when she was younger.
However, Democratic Representative Jo Ella Hoye raised concerns about the bill’s lack of clarity on what constitutes coercion, including ambiguities around the definition of a “putative father.”
Notably, the legislation garnered support from pro-life groups and researchers. Tessa Longbons Cox, a senior researcher at the Charlotte Lozier Institute, testified in favor of the bill, citing research indicating that a significant percentage of women who undergo abortions feel pressured by various factors.
A child patient with an IV line is depicted in a hospital bed. (iStock)
If Governor Kelly signs the bill, offenders could face fines ranging from \(5,000 to \)10,000 and imprisonment for up to 25 years, particularly in cases involving stalking, human trafficking, blackmail, and other serious offenses.
Pro-life organizations have expressed their backing for the bill, emphasizing its role in safeguarding women and girls from coercion and exploitation.
Should Governor Kelly choose to prioritize women’s safety and well-being, she is urged to sign this bill into law, as highlighted by Adam Schwend, SBA Pro-Life America director, in a statement to Fox News Digital.
The bill aims to establish coercive abortion as a felony offense under Kansas law. (Darin Oswald/Idaho Statesman/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
Jamie Joseph, a political writer overseeing Senate coverage for Fox News Digital, contributed to this report.