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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 25, 2018 12:19 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Mike Turzai and Rep. Judy Ward |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Down Syndrome Protection Legislation |
| We plan to introduce legislation amending the Abortion Control Act to prohibit the abortion of any child solely due to a diagnosis of possible Down Syndrome. Under current law, a woman can obtain an abortion prior to 24 weeks gestational age for any reason if a physician deems it is necessary, except if the woman’s sole reason is to select the sex of the child. This bill will expand that exception to prohibit aborting the child solely due to a prenatal diagnosis that the unborn child has Down Syndrome. Nothing in this proposal would interfere with the existing ability of a woman to obtain an abortion in cases of rape, incest or endangerment to the mother. Most of us know of a family touched by a Down Syndrome child, and know these children grow to lead joyful and fulfilling lives. Some studies show that as many as 90% of children diagnosed in utero with Down are aborted. Although Act 130 of 2014, known as Chloe's Law, made progress educating parents regarding the quality of life that a person with Down Syndrome can enjoy, the abortion rate for children with Down Syndrome is still too high. It is time to protect Down Syndrome children in the womb. |
Introduced as HB2050