Abortion Bill Passes Senate Committee With Amendment

MONTGOMERY, AL - The bill that would make abortion illegal in Alabama has passed the Senate Judiciary Committee, with an exception. By a vote of 7-2, the bill passed the committee with a clause allowing abortion in the case of rape or incest.

The bill would make it a Class A felony for a doctor to perform an abortion and a Class C felony for attempting to perform an abortion unless there is a serious health risk to the mother, and now, in the case of rape or incest.

Senator Tom Whatley, a Republican from Auburn, proposed the amendment to the bill. However, an amendment by Senator Linda Coleman Madison of Birmingham was voted down. Her amendment stated that if a woman is forced to keep and bear a child based on Alabama law, the state shall provide additional support and prenatal care, and shall include the medical cost of the birth of the child.

The bill now moves to the Senate floor.

Related Story: Alabama House Passes Bill Banning Abortion

The bill will likely be challenged in court, just as the amendment to the Alabama Constitution of 1901 on the ballot last fall will likely be challenged.

The ACLU of Alabama has promised to fight the bill if passed. The state paid ACLU of Alabama and Planned Parenthood $1.7 million in 2016 after a law requiring abortion providers to have hospital admitting privileges was ruled unconstitutional.