KS
Kansas Senate Bill SB175

Kansas 2023-2024 Regular Session

Kansas Senate Bill SB175

Introduced
2/7/23  
Refer
2/8/23  

Caption

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

Impact

The enactment of SB 175 would have profound implications for existing state laws concerning reproductive rights and healthcare. By instituting criminal penalties for abortions, it would drastically limit access to abortion services in Kansas. This move is seen as part of a broader national trend to restrict abortion rights following recent Supreme Court decisions, and it could lead to legal challenges regarding its compatibility with federal laws on reproductive rights. The bill also establishes specific guidelines and penalties surrounding the use and donation of fetal tissue, further complicating medical practices that involve such procedures.

Summary

Senate Bill 175 is a significant piece of legislation focused on abortion in the state of Kansas. Its primary intent is to abolish abortion entirely by categorizing it as a crime and establishing severe penalties for those who perform or attempt to perform abortions. It redefines the legal situation regarding the unborn, providing them with the same civil and criminal protections as living persons, thus elevating the status of a fetus to that of a person under the law. The bill proposes that any unlawful performance of an abortion or destruction of a fertilized embryo be classified as a severity level 1 felony, which entails substantial penalties for violations.

Contention

The bill has elicited notable opposition and contention among various advocacy groups and members of the public who argue that it infringes on a person's right to choose and undermines women's healthcare. Critics assert that it fails to take into account the complexities of individual circumstances that may necessitate an abortion, such as health risks or cases of rape and incest. Additionally, the stringent penalties proposed may discourage medical professionals from providing necessary care, thereby endangering women's health. The bill’s provisions calling for the impeachment of judges who might attempt to block aspects of the legislation also raise significant concerns about judicial independence and the rule of law.

Latest SB175 Activity

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Similar Bills

KS HB2010

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 HB2492

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KS SB198

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