North Dakota Abortion Ban

By Peter Teague . Posted March 12, 2007.

Here we go again. The North Dakota Senate is going to hear a bill, HB 1466, which would ban all abortions in the state. And get this: the ban is even more extreme than the beaten-down South Dakota ban! There are no exceptions for rape, incest, or the health of the woman AND the ban would impose criminal penalties on women and their doctors.

The bill would allow the Attorney General to implement a ban on abortion regardless of the status of Roe v. Wade. Performing an abortion would become a Class C felony in the state.

Sarah Stoesz, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, is monitoring the progress of the legislation. "North Dakotans deserve to make these personal, private decisions free from government intrusion," Stoesz said. "This bill attempts to substitute political opinion for medical judgment and endangers women's health and safety in the process," said Stoesz.

The great people at the Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota (can you believe they have to cover all those places with one org?!) tell me that the bill will be heard in the judiciary committee tomorrow.

I'm waiting to hear back from them on any action folks can take.

              

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Jessica Valenti is founder and editor of Feministing. Her first book, "Full Frontal Feminism," is due out in April.

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