West Virginia Senate committee advances bill prohibiting abortion pill distribution

Members of a West Virginia Senate committee advanced legislation Tuesday that would protect women by outlawing the mailing and distribution of chemical abortion drugs within the state.

Key Takeaways:

• A West Virginia Senate committee advanced a bill prohibiting the trafficking and dispensation of 'abortifacients' in the state.

• The bill would close a loophole, which currently allows the mailing of abortion pills into the state despite its pro-life laws.

• Under the bill, the pregnant woman who receives the abortion pill, as well as any of her family members, would be able to file a civil lawsuit against violators of the law.

• Many pro-life states are now attempting to pass legislation to prohibit abortion pill distribution.

The Details:

Senate Bill 173 would make it illegal for out-of-state abortionists or organizations to traffic and dispense the abortion pill into the state, as West Virginia law protects the majority of preborn children from abortion. The bill specifically prohibits the trafficking of "abortifacients," which are defined as “any chemical or drug prescribed or dispensed with the intent of causing an abortion.”

Abortifacient drugs would not be illegal if prescribed by a physician for a "legitimate medical purpose."

Under the bill, the pregnant woman who receives the abortion pill, as well as any of her family members, would be able to file a civil lawsuit against violators of the law.

The bill passed the Senate Committee on Health and Human Resources Tuesday. It next heads to the Senate Judiciary Committee for consideration.

Zoom In:

During testimony, Thomas Dinkel, a representative from the organization Students for Life and the teen captain of West Virginians for Life, told lawmakers that he was able to order the abortion pill online, despite the fact that he is not a pregnant woman. The organization shipping him the pills did so without medical screening, age verification, or consultation with a medical professional — a huge red flag and danger to women everywhere, as stories of forced abortions due to the pill's easy access are on the rise.

West Virginia is a pro-life state,” Dinkel said. “Our laws reflect our values, our culture and our commitment to protecting both women and pre-born children. If we are serious about upholding rule of law and safeguarding vulnerable populations, we must address abortion pill traffic."

“I urge this committee and Legislature to pass Senate Bill 173 to close this dangerous loophole and ensure that West Virginia’s laws are respected and enforced from conception to natural death."

The Big Picture:

West Virginia is one of a number of pro-life states looking to crack down on illegal abortion pill distribution that continues to occur, despite state laws protecting preborn children from abortion.

As instances in Louisiana and Texas have proven, such distribution is resulting in women being injured by the abortion pill, or being forced to take the abortion pill against their will.

The Bottom Line:

All preborn children deserve full protection from the horrors of the abortion pill. A law prohibiting the pill's mailing and distribution is one of the only ways to ensure that babies, and their mothers, remain safe.