Kansas 2023-2024 Regular Session

Kansas House Bill HB2492

Introduced

1/10/24

Refer

1/10/24

Refer

3/21/24

Refer

3/28/24

Refer

4/5/24

Refer

4/25/24

Failed

4/30/24

Caption

Prohibiting abortion procedures except when necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman and providing a private cause of action for civil enforcement of such prohibition.

Impact

The bill also imposes prohibitions on the distribution and manufacturing of abortion-inducing drugs such as mifepristone and similar substances, presenting significant implications for both healthcare providers and patients. Furthermore, it introduces a mechanism for private civil enforcement, allowing individuals to take legal action against those suspected of violating the prohibition on abortion—this creates a landscape where individuals, rather than governmental bodies, have the primary role in enforcing abortion laws.

Summary

House Bill 2492 proposes a restrictive framework regarding abortion procedures in the state of Kansas. The bill clearly stipulates that performing or inducing an abortion is unlawful, with an exception only in medically emergencies that threaten the life of the pregnant woman. This legal change moves to further limit the conditions under which abortion can be administered, aiming to minimize the instances in which the procedure may take place. In addition, any medical treatment resulting in harm to the fetus during an effort to assist a pregnant woman is considered lawful if it is unintentional.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB 2492 involve the imposition of a private cause of action, which critics argue could lead to a chilling effect on healthcare providers and may disproportionately affect vulnerable individuals seeking reproductive healthcare. The bill’s provisions not only challenge the existing legal framework but also place control into the hands of private citizens, raising concerns over potential harassment and exploitation of legal avenues by individuals opposed to abortion or specific healthcare providers.

Latest HB2492 Activity

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Similar Bills

KS SB198

Prohibiting abortion procedures except when necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman and providing a private cause of action for civil enforcement of violations of such prohibition.

KS HB2009

Prohibiting abortion procedures except when necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman and providing a private cause of action for civil enforcement of such prohibition.

KS SB286

Prohibiting abortion procedures except when necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman and providing a private cause of action for civil enforcement of such prohibition.

KS HB2010

Prohibiting abortion procedures and creating the crimes of unlawful performance of an abortion and unlawful destruction of a fertilized embryo.

KS HB2465

Enacting the adoption savings account act allowing individuals to establish adoption savings accounts with certain financial institutions, providing eligible expenses, requirements and restrictions for such accounts and establishing addition and subtraction modifications for contributions to such accounts under the Kansas income tax act, increasing the income tax credit amount for adoption expenses, establishing an income, privilege and premium tax credit for contributions to eligible charitable organizations operating pregnancy centers or residential maternity facilities and providing for a sales tax exemption for purchases by pregnancy resource centers and residential maternity facilities.

KS SB175

Prohibiting abortion procedures and creating the crimes of unlawful performance of an abortion and unlawful destruction of a fertilized embryo.

KS HB2181

Prohibiting abortion procedures and creating the crimes of unlawful performance of an abortion and unlawful destruction of a fertilized embryo.

KS HB2764

Establishing a tax credit for contributions to eligible charitable organizations operating pregnancy centers or residential maternity facilities and establishing a child tax credit, increasing the tax credit amount for adoption expenses and making the credit refundable and providing a sales tax exemption for pregnancy resource centers and residential maternity facilities.