A wide-ranging bill that would repeal some of the few already weak protections for women seeking abortions under Nevada law was heard in committee Monday. SB 179, known as the Trust Nevada Women Act, chips away at informed consent, strips back important abortion pill regulations, and dilutes language used to advise women of the serious risks of abortion.
Under previous Nevada law, a woman seeking an abortion would have to give informed consent in writing, making sure consent was given “freely and without coercion.” Under the new bill, doctors would no longer need to ensure that the decision isn’t coerced.
According to the Charlotte Lozier institute, 30 to 60 percent of abortions are coerced in some way. In Nevada where prostitution is legal, it could become much easier to hide human trafficking, sexual violence, and statutory rape. Nevada’s parental notification law is in statute but is currently “suspended” after a federal judge found it to be unconstitutional in 1991. Without parental intervention, says Nevada Right to Life, abortion facilities become further accessories to the victimization of minors. “Best medical practices and standards should include the emotional implications of an abortion,” said Deborah Earl of the nonprofit Power2Parent. “Women deserve all the information about an abortion.”
READ: Three reasons why pro-abortion laws don’t protect women and girls
The bill would also repeal any penalties for any person who “supplies or administers a woman, whether pregnant or not, or advises or causes her to take any medicine […] to terminate a pregnancy, unless done pursuant to the provisions of [an abortionist], or by a woman upon herself.” The repeal of this statute is intended to decriminalize the sale of the drug and to make self-induced abortions easier. However, it has the chilling effect of removing any protections for a woman who may be unwillingly slipped abortion drugs, and by making the pills more readily available, increases the likelihood of such a scenario.
Additionally, the language mandating that abortionists inform women of “the physical and emotional implications of having an abortion,” including possible serious risks like uterine perforation and side-effects such as depression, would be changed to, “explain orally … the discomforts and risks that may accompany or follow the procedure.”
This bill, which was introduced along with massive family planning spending bill SB 94 that would line the pockets of Planned Parenthood, received great support from the abortion giant and others who stand to benefit.
Meanwhile, Nevada women could be left with fewer protections and less information.
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