Mississippi 2022 Regular Session

Mississippi House Bill HB580

Introduced

1/13/22

Refer

1/13/22

Failed

2/1/22

Caption

Abortion; provide that inducing or performing is unlawful.

Impact

The implications of House Bill 580 are significant, as it reduces access to abortion and increases penalties for medical professionals and others involved in such procedures. The bill prohibits public funds from being allocated to facilities that perform abortions and bans abortion coverage through state health plans. This aligns with a broader legislative trend in Mississippi to limit abortion rights, particularly following national developments regarding abortion access. The bill is expected to provoke legal challenges and could lead to increased debates around women's reproductive rights and healthcare access.

Summary

House Bill 580 aims to amend multiple sections of the Mississippi Code of 1972 concerning abortion. Notable changes include classifying anyone who willfully causes an abortion as guilty of a felony, thereby increasing the legal liabilities associated with abortion activities. The bill also specifies that physicians performing an abortion that results in the delivery of a living child and intentionally allowing or causing that child to die will be held liable for murder. These stipulations are designed to tighten the existing legal framework surrounding abortion procedures.

Contention

The provisions laid down in House Bill 580 have ignited considerable contention. Opponents argue that the bill infringes on women's rights and autonomy over their bodies, with potential repercussions for women seeking safe and legal abortions. Critics also express concern that increasing criminalization of abortion services will disproportionately affect low-income women who may struggle to obtain care from safe facilities. Additional worries arise regarding the potential for increased health risks, as some women may resort to unsafe methods to terminate pregnancies due to restricted access to legal abortion services.