HB 575 passes initial Senate vote Tuesday

HELENA -- The Senate passed a bill 30-to-20 Tuesday that would criminalize the abortion of a viable fetus, or a fetus that could survive outside of the womb, unless it is to save the mother’s life. The bill now has one more vote in the Senate before it moves back to the House for review.

House Bill 575 would require that patients seeking an abortion get a determination of viability. Under the bill, viability of a fetus is presumed after 24 weeks or if uncertainty exists about the viability of the fetus. The bill does allow for abortion if the mother’s life is at stake, but it does not include...