[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Jo] After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the 'Roe v. Wade' ruling that established women's abortion rights, the conservative-leaning state of Indiana became the first to pass a law banning abortion.
According to the Associated Press and others on the 5th (local time), Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb (Republican) signed a bill banning most abortions. The bill had previously passed both chambers dominated by Republicans with votes of 62 to 38 in the House and 28 to 19 in the Senate, and with the governor's immediate approval, it is scheduled to take effect on July 15. As a result, Indiana became the first state in the U.S. to outlaw abortion since the 1973 'Roe v. Wade' ruling that legalized abortion.
The new law deems most abortions illegal and recognizes only a few exceptions. These include pregnancies resulting from rape or incest (within 10 weeks of conception), situations where the mother's life and health need to be protected, and cases where the fetus has a fatal abnormality. Victims of rape or incest are not required to sign a notarized statement to prove the assault. Abortions can only be performed in hospitals or hospital-owned outpatient clinics. Abortion clinics will lose their existing licenses and will no longer be able to perform procedures. Additionally, medical personnel who perform illegal abortions or fail to comply with reporting obligations will have their medical licenses revoked.
Following the Supreme Court's reversal on June 24 of the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion up to six months of pregnancy, the Indiana legislature promptly began discussions to introduce a strengthened abortion ban. However, opposition to the bill emerged even among some Republicans, reflecting the confusion that spread throughout American society after the Supreme Court decision. Some senators expressed dissatisfaction, citing reasons such as the bill's failure to protect low-income or disabled women. Of the 19 senators who voted against the bill, 8 were Republicans.
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