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FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) – Rep. Nancy Tate, R-Brandenburg, filed pro-life House Bill 3 on Wednesday. The proposed legislation addresses medical abortions, the disposal of fetal remains, abortion on minors, abortion complications and abortion reporting in the Commonwealth.
“I’ve collaborated with my colleagues in the General Assembly as well as outside organizations and the end result is a strong and compassionate approach to ensuring that our laws properly reflect the pro-life values held by so many Kentuckians,” said Tate in a press release on Wednesday.
HB 3 calls for the Kentucky Board of Pharmacy to create the Kentucky Abortion-Inducing Drug Certification program. It would require physicians prescribing chemical abortion drugs, like mifepristone and misoprostol, to have proper certification and a contract with another physician who could treat any resulting complications.
The bill also requires abortion providers to examine patients in-person, verify the gestational age and intrauterine location of the fetus via ultrasound, determine the woman’s RH factor, schedule a follow-up appointment and inform the patient that she may see the remains of her child during the abortion—all before inducing the medicated abortion.
While Kentucky law currently requires parental involvement and consent for a minor seeking an abortion, HB 3 addresses a judicial bypass loophole “by establishing a clearly defined protocol,” according to Thursday’s press release. It also places the responsibility of acquiring parental consent on the physician providing the abortion.
“This is a serious medical procedure, and a physician should be directly involved to ensure that everyone involved has the information they need to make the best decision possible,” Tate added.
HB 3 also ensures parents receive notice of their right to determine how the remains of their child are handled or relinquish that responsibility within 24 hours of the procedure—and after an abortion, a baby’s remains could not be treated as or disposed of as pathological or medical waste.
Tate said HB 3 isn’t about ending abortion but protecting the health of both unborn children and mothers considering whether to terminate their pregnancies—and ensuring those women can make fully informed decisions about their healthcare.
“While I support (ending abortion) wholeheartedly and believe my fellow Kentuckians do as well, that debate is for another time and place,” Tate said. “Until that day comes, our goal is to ensure the procedure is the result of a fully informed, educated choice that takes into consideration the health and safety of both the unborn child and his or her mother.”
HB 3 was introduced to the House Committee on Committees on Wednesday and is awaiting further actions. The full text of HB 3 and a summary of General Assembly actions on the legislation can be viewed here.
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