Michigan House Bill HB4684

Michigan 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/25/23
• Refer: 5/25/23

Caption

Crimes: abortion; publication or sale of items used to prevent conception or produce miscarriage or abortion; prohibit. Amends 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.1 - 750.568) by adding sec. 40a. TIE BAR WITH: HJR C'23

Impact

If enacted, HB 4684 would reinforce legal barriers against the dissemination of information related to abortion, which may impact individuals seeking reproductive health resources and education. This bill has raised substantial concerns among advocates for reproductive rights and health care, who fear that it would limit access to important information regarding abortion procedures. The prohibition on such publications could potentially push essential knowledge into the shadows, raising public health concerns about safe practices and informed consent.

Summary

House Bill 4684 aims to amend the Michigan Penal Code by adding Section 40a, which prohibits the publication or sale within the state of any materials that contain indecent or obscene language intended to produce abortion. This bill specifies that any circular, pamphlet, or book containing such recipes or prescriptions shall be barred from distribution, and both the publisher and seller can be held guilty of a misdemeanor for each copy sold or published. The bill represents a significant tightening of regulations surrounding abortion-related materials in Michigan, reflecting ongoing tensions in the state regarding reproductive rights.

Contention

Notably, the implementation of this bill hinges on the fate of a pending resolution, as it will only take effect if correlated Senate Joint Resolutions become part of Michigan's state constitution. This is crucial as it indicates a possible broader agenda regarding reproductive laws within the state. Debate is likely to be intense, with supporters advocating for the protection of unborn life and opponents arguing that such measures infringe upon personal freedoms and access to comprehensive health care information.