FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Matt Hadro
[email protected]
Proposed bill would establish Maine as abortion sanctuary state for sex traffickers and abusers
Wednesday, March 6, 2024, WASHINGTON, DC — Human Coalition Action opposes an extreme proposal in the Maine House of Delegates that would establish a “legal right” to abortion “activity” and prevent any “interference” with abortion.
A proposed amendment to a state health care bill, LD 277, would enshrine abortion “activity” in state law as a legal right, prohibit “interference” with abortion, and would allow countersuits against anyone out-of-state who files litigation against anyone receiving, assisting with, or performing an abortion.
Chelsey Youman, National Policy Advisor for Human Coalition Action, issued the following statement in opposition to the proposed amendment:
“In addition to preborn children, this extreme proposal places women and girls at risk by protecting even criminal abuse and medical malpractice for abortion. Abortion providers, abusive partners and human traffickers would not only have zero accountability for injuring or even killing women through negligence or forced abortions, but the bill would protect their heinous conduct in Maine.
“Without exceptions to allow injured women or their loved ones to have legal recourse for injury or death resulting from negligent or coerced abortion, the broad bill provides a complete shield to criminal actors, empowering them to perpetuate their crimes as long as the abortions are ordered from Maine. We already know that women suffer serious injuries or even death from negligent abortion providers; we already know that women being trafficked suffer forced abortions; and we also know that abusers have taken advantage of readily available abortion drugs to covertly poison their partners’ food and induce abortion. Now, thanks to this proposal, traffickers and abusers would not only have immunity for their crimes, they would be able to sue anyone who tries to stop them.
“We are grateful to Rep. Reagan Paul for her courage in defense of innocent women and children and for her principled opposition to this disgusting legislation. Every person, whether a child in the womb or a vulnerable woman, has invaluable worth. We staunchly oppose any legislation such as this one that treats women and their children as disposable.”
By protecting all abortion “activity” as a legal “right,” the proposed legislation would also override limits on abortion, such as by upholding taxpayer-funded abortion, preventing parents from interfering with their minor child’s decision to have an abortion, and requiring employers – including religious institutions opposed to abortion – to cover abortions in employee health plans.
About Human Coalition Action
Human Coalition Action is a public policy advocacy organization, advocating for preborn children by assisting governing officials in advancing pro-life policies, informing voters about pro-life candidates, and supporting pro-life legal arguments in the Courts.
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