March 8, 2013 Legislative Update

Next week is a VERY big week for North Dakota women. Our lobby day is occurring Monday (you still have time to get in on that) where well over 150 women will descend on the capitol to learn about the process and show our strength in numbers. Get more information at www.standupnd.org.


Additionally, the week is HEAVY with bills of interest to NDWN. You can click here for the tracking grid.  Here is the hearing list for Monday, March 11th. Of particular interest is the hearing scheduled for 1422 – the child care stabilization act. We need pressure the Senate Human Services committee to reject the ratio changes made in the house and restore funding.


All bills restricting women’s reproductive health are up for hearings on Tuesday and Wednesday. Also on Wednesday is the hearing on Medicaid Expansion.

Date and Time	Bill Number	Short Title	Committee	​Room
​03/12/2013 09:00 AM	HB 1305	​Relating to the prohibition on abortions for sex selection or genetic abnormalities; to amend and reenact section 14-02.1-02 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to definitions; and to provide a penalty.	​Senate Judiciary	​Fort Lincoln
​03/12/2013 09:45 AM	HB 1456	​Relating to limitations on abortion after determination of detectable heartbeat in an unborn child and to grounds for disciplinary action for physicians; and to provide a penalty.	​Senate Judiciary	Fort Lincoln
​03/13/2013 09:00 AM	SB 2368	​Relating to limitations on and penalties for performing an abortion; to amend and reenact sections 14-02.1-01,14-02.1-02, and 14-02.1-07 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to definitions and reporting requirements.	House Human Services	​Fort Union
​03/13/2013 09:00 AM	SB 2303	​Relating to the application of sections in chapter 12.1-17 to certain medical procedures; to amend and reenact sections 12.1-01-04 and 12.1-16-06 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the definition of human being and the application of sections in chapter 12.1-16 to certain medical procedures; and to provide directives to the department of human services regarding medicaid and other coverage for pregnant women.	​House Human Services	​Fort Union
03/13/2013 09:00 AM	SCR 4009	Relating to the inalienable right to life of every human being at every stage of development.	​House Human Services	​Fort Union
​03/13/2013 09:00 AM	SB 2305	Relating to limitations on physicians and abortion facilities.	House Human Services	Fort Union

More on each of the bills:


North Dakota legislators are considering an extreme and dangerous package of bills which could ban abortion-with no exceptions for rape and incest, close women's health care centers, and limit In Vitro Fertilization care in our state. 

SCR 4009 and SB 2303- ‘Personhood’

• Personhood legislation puts women at risk. The bills, which would define "personhood" as beginning at fertilization of a female egg could have dangerous consequences; including banning abortion-with no exceptions for rape and incest, closing women's health care centers, and limiting In Vitro Fertilization care in our state.
• Personhood legislation precludes women’s privacy. These 'Personhood' bills interfere with doctor-patient privacy and are an unprecedented attack on women's reproductive health care in our state.
• Personhood legislation is unconstitutional.  No state in the country has passed a 'Personhood' bill. In fact, from Colorado and Ohio to Mississippi and Oklahoma, 'Personhood' measures have been rejected by the voters and by the courts.
• Personhood legislation is fiscally irresponsible. I do not want North Dakota to become the epicenter of a national debate over abortion. As my elected leader I ask you to reject these extreme and intrusive bills.

Restricting Access to Reproductive Health Care

SB 2305 is a TRAP, targeted regulation of abortion providers, bill and could ban abortion in North Dakota.  Based on an identical law in Mississippi, it is clearly intended to regulate abortion out of existence in North Dakota by imposing medically unjustified requirements that any physician providing an abortion be a board-certified or eligible OB/GYN with admitting privileges in a local hospital.


HB1456 This bill would ban almost all abortions with no regard for women's individual circumstances (no exceptions). It states that if a fetal heartbeat is detectable no abortion can be preformed.


HB 1305 This bill prohibits a physician from performing an abortion under the threat of criminal penalties if he or she believes that the patient is making a decision based on sex or based on a diagnosis of a genetic abnormality.


SB 2368 A 20 week abortion ban. Contains a limited exception for the life of the mother but imposes severe criminal and civil penalties on physicians for providing women with abortions necessary to preserve their health.