Abortion-related bills continue to be introduced and debated in state legislatures across the country, particularly in states where the procedure is already banned. It can be hard to monitor them all, so in a bi-weekly legislative roundup, the States Newsroom’s Reproductive Rights Today team tracks specific bills that could become law in their respective states. Depending on the partisan makeup of a state’s legislature and other state government officials, some bills have a higher chance of passing and becoming law than others.
Connecticut
House Bill 5424: A bill that would have prevented “adverse action” against medical providers at faith-based hospitals or clinics who could advise or refer patients for reproductive care, including abortion, was passed in Parliament on Thursday. CT Mirror reported. It would have protected those who provide information and advice on contraception, abortion, gender-affirming care and other reproductive health care, but no action was taken on the bill by the deadline. Reproductive health advocates said they would try again next year to pass the law.
Status: Died after the legislative deadline expired
Sponsor: Public Health Committee with 13 co-sponsors from the House and Senate
Kansas
Despite Kansas voters’ overwhelming rejection of abortion bans in a referendum shortly after the Dobbs decision in 2022, lawmakers passed several abortion-related bills. Abortion is legal in Kansas and six clinics offer in-clinic services.
House Bill 2749: Lawmakers were able to override Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto of a bill that would require medical facilities and providers to ask patients the reason they are terminating a pregnancy before performing the procedure. Kansas Reflector reported. The data is reported to lawmakers every two years and includes each patient’s age, marital status and education level, as well as whether they were a victim of rape, incest or domestic violence. If the patient refuses to answer, this must also be noted. Planned Parenthood Great Plains is considering a lawsuit over the law.
Status: Veto override successful – law
Sponsor: Republican Representative Ron Bryce on behalf of Kansans for Life
Senate Bill 28: Kelly’s veto of this bill was also overturned. The draft state budget includes an allocation of $2 million for the Compassion Awareness Program in Pregnancy. The funds will be used to “increase and increase resources to promote birth instead of abortion” for people with unplanned pregnancies. Kelly said that when Kansas residents largely rejected a constitutional amendment that would have allowed an abortion ban, “they told politicians to stop interfering in private medical decisions between women and their doctors.”
Status: Veto override successful – law
Sponsor: Kansas Insurance Department
House Bill 2436: Another veto override was successful for this bill, which addresses “abortion coercion” and makes it a felony to pressure anyone to have an abortion, including doctors, family members and partners. according to the reflector. A conviction carries penalties such as prison time and fines. While some lawmakers tried early on to amend the bill to make pressuring women to become pregnant a criminal offense, these changes were not taken into account.
Status: Veto override successful – law
Sponsor: Republican Representative. Rebecca Schmoe
Louisiana
Almost all abortions are illegal in Louisiana.
House Bill 833: The House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed this bill in delayed April to protect access to in vitro fertilization, pending Senate approval. Louisiana Illuminator reported that Republican Gov. Jeff Landry has not committed to signing the bill when it comes to his desk, but has simply stated through a spokesman that he is considering it along with many other bills passed by the Legislature. The bill would protect doctors, clinics and other health care providers from lawsuits and criminal prosecution if embryos created during the IVF process are unintentionally lost. Louisiana Right to Life worked with legislators on the bill to ensure its passage.
Status: Passed the House and awaits consideration in the Senate
Sponsor: Republican Rep. Paula Davis
Missouri
Almost all abortions are illegal in Missouri.
House Bill 2634: Gov. Mike Parson signed the bill Thursday, prohibiting the expenditure of public funds to an abortion facility or its subsidiaries or affiliates, including Medicaid, through the MO HealthNet program. Missouri Independent reports The bill targets Planned Parenthood clinics, which do not perform abortions in Missouri but may offer referrals to clinics in other states for abortion care. The clinics offer contraception, testing for sexually transmitted diseases and cancer, and general wellness visits. The up-to-date law takes effect Aug. 28, but staff at Planned Parenthood clinics said they remain committed to remaining open to everyone.
Status: Law
Sponsor: Republican Senator Mary Elizabeth Coleman
