Urges US Congress to pass "Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act."
Impact
The intent of SR17 is to strengthen protections for infants who survive attempted abortions by advocating for legislation that imposes criminal penalties on individuals who neglect to provide medical care to such infants or who intentionally cause their death. The resolution emphasizes that a majority of U.S. states lack adequate laws to ensure the protection of these infants, which SR17 seeks to address through appropriate federal reforms.
Summary
Senate Resolution No. 17 (SR17) urges the United States Congress to pass the 'Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.' This resolution is a response to concerns that some abortion providers do not recognize infants born alive during abortion procedures as legal persons and fail to provide necessary medical care. The resolution highlights the inadequacies of the existing 'Born-Alive Infants Protection Act' (BAIPA), which protects infants born alive but lacks penalties for those who fail to care for them.
Contention
Notably, the resolution is positioned within a broader debate on abortion rights in the United States. Proponents of the resolution argue that it is vital for the safety and well-being of newborns, while opponents may see it as part of a larger strategy to challenge or restrict access to abortion services. The ramifications of SR17 could lead to increased scrutiny of abortion practices and potentially influence state-level abortion regulations as states are urged to comply with any new federal law that emerges from Congress.