Missouri Representative Gerard Harms’s “Save MO Babies Act” proposes creating registries for pregnant individuals deemed “at risk” of abortion and prospective adoptive parents, aiming to facilitate adoptions and reduce abortions. The bill lacks a definition of “at risk,” raising concerns about potential government overreach and privacy violations. This legislation follows broader conservative efforts to expand state surveillance of pregnant individuals and restrict abortion access, mirroring national trends and legal challenges regarding patient data privacy. While Harms claims the program would be voluntary, the bill’s implications for reproductive rights and personal privacy remain significant.
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Following the enactment of the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Act 2024, a 74-year-old woman was arrested for violating the established buffer zone outside Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. This arrest, linked to the spread of misinformation by US Vice President Vance regarding the law’s scope, underscores the legislation’s aim to prevent intimidation and ensure safe access to abortion services. The arrest comes amidst protests deemed “shameful” by MSP Gillian Mackay, the act’s sponsor, who attributes the incident to deliberate attempts to undermine reproductive rights. Mackay emphasizes the importance of protecting access to healthcare free from harassment.
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Twelve North Dakota Republican lawmakers introduced HB1373, a “personhood bill” defining life at conception, effectively criminalizing the morning-after pill and potentially IVF. Despite opposition from within the Republican-majority House, citing unenforceability and excessively harsh penalties, the bill failed 77-16. The bill’s defeat comes amidst broader conservative efforts, such as Project 2025, aiming to restrict access to emergency contraception. The state’s abortion legality remains uncertain pending a Supreme Court ruling on a previous law.
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Ohio Representatives Somani and Rader plan to introduce the “Conception Begins at Erection Act,” a bill criminalizing ejaculation without the intent to fertilize. The bill aims to highlight the disproportionate regulation of women’s reproductive health and hold men accountable for unwanted pregnancies. While the bill’s exact text is unavailable, it has already faced criticism from Republicans, citing concerns about discriminatory implications. This follows a past attempt by a state lawmaker to regulate male reproductive health through erectile dysfunction medication prescriptions.
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John Q. Hosedrinker