As predicted, both houses of the Kentucky Legislature have successfully overridden Governor Andy Beshear's (D) veto of a pro-life House Bill 3. Addia Wuchner of Kentucky Right to Life says the measure covers several topics, including how to handle the remains of aborted children.
"Basically it says that the remains have to be treated in a dignified manner, and none of the remains can be treated as medical or pathological waste," Wuchner details.
The bill also updates and strengthens parental notification and judicial bypass for a minor seeking an abortion. Additionally, tax funds will not be used to pay for abortions, and pills for chemical abortions cannot be delivered via mail -- which Wuchner says is best for the patient.
"She needs to be seen, have a history by a medical provider, make sure to determine how far along she is in her pregnancy, her gestational age, and then have a follow-up appointment afterwards to make sure that there's not an infection, excessive bleeding, etcetera," the pro-lifer asserts.
Further, doctors issuing the pills have to register with the state and report abortion outcomes so that accurate statistics may be kept. The final provision bans abortions at 15 weeks.
The bill passed the state Senate 31-6 and then went to the state House where it passed 74-19. Since the veto's override, abortions have come to a halt in the state. A lawsuit is expected.
