The Indiana General Assembly is likely to be the first state in the Nation to have its legislature vote on legal protection for the unborn post-Dobbs, so the action of the Indiana Legislature is likely to have effect beyond Indiana, and throughout the Nation.
It was with bitter disappointment that James Bopp, Jr., General Counsel, National Right to Life Committee and Courtney Milbank, General Counsel, Indiana Right to Life rendered the opinion that SB 1 is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, protecting abortion on demand by defective language, lack of necessary safeguards, and lack of any effective enforcement mechanism, even any criminal penalties, while parading as a pro-life measure. As a result, they recommended that NRLC and IRTL oppose SB 1 and urge the Indiana Legislature to pass truly pro-life legislation to protect the unborn. National Right to Life and its Indiana affiliate, Indiana Right to Life, statements opposing SB 1 may be found below.
We urge CHQ readers and friends to contact these leaders of the Indiana General Assembly TODAY to oppose SB 1:
Indiana state Senate President Pro Tempore Sen. Rodric Bray: 1- 800-382-9467 email: Senator.Bray@iga.in.gov
Indiana state Senate Republican Majority Leader Sen. Mark Messmer: 1- 800-382-9467 email: Senator.Messmer@iga.in.gov
Speaker of the Indiana state House of Representatives Rep. Todd Huston: 1-800-382-9841
Republican Majority Floor Leader of the Indiana state House of Representatives Rep. Matt Lehman: 1-800-382-9841
Indiana’s SB 1 is a phony bill that would do the opposite of what its proponents claim that it would do. SB 1 would fail to protect lives and endanger vulnerable women and their unborn children.
SB 1 was drafted without consultation from any state, local or national pro-life group or expert. Instead, SB 1 was drafted with the advice from organizations and experts who have made abortion on demand part of their mission.
SB 1 contains vague language and ill-defined terms which would actually protect abortion instead of protecting unborn children. SB 1 also would undermine existing protections for unborn children with disabilities.
The pro-life movement calls upon pro-life legislators in the Indiana legislature to reject this travesty of a bill.
“Indiana’s SB 1 is a complete disaster of a bill,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. “It would fail, in a spectacular way, to protect any human lives and instead would leave women vulnerable to an industry that preys upon women.”
SB 1 was drafted without consultation from any state, local or national pro-life group or expert. Instead, SB 1 was drafted with the advice from organizations and experts who have made abortion on demand part of their mission.
Accordingly, National Right to Life and Indiana Right to Life oppose the bill for several reasons, including:
SB 1 removes all criminal penalties from, and provides complete immunity for, illegal abortions consented to by pregnant women, except for partial-birth abortions, D & E abortions, and abortions performed without informed consent.
SB 1 does not require the consent of a woman for an abortion to save the life of the mother. Thus, the physician can abort the child even if the mother objects and wants to carry the baby.
SB 1 explicitly recognizes, legalizes, and facilitates chemical abortion clinics throughout Indiana by authorizing abortion-inducing drugs to flood the state. The bill facilitates their use through the licensing of current and future chemical abortion clinics throughout the state.
According to James Bopp, Jr., General Counsel for NRLC, "A careful legal examination of SB 1 reveals that, in nearly every provision, SB 1 uses defective language, lack of necessary safeguards, and lack of any effective enforcement mechanism that it results in abortion on demand."
“The bill is so poorly drafted, it would do the complete opposite of what it claims to do,” said Tobias. “The bill would facilitate and support abortion on demand, leave women exposed to harm without any legal recourse, and establish abortion facilities throughout the state.”
Tobias continued, “The pro-life movement denounces this bill for what it is—a wolf in sheep’s clothing designed to expand abortion on demand in the state of Indiana.”
For a legal analysis of SB1 from National Right to Life & Indiana Right to Life's general counsel, click here.
National Right to Life
Indiana Right to Life
Indiana SB 1
Dobbs decision
Supreme Court
State abortion laws
James Bopp, Jr.
criminal penalties
Abortion on Demand
immunity for illegal abortion
chemical abortion clinics