The Special Session Concludes
On August 5, Governor Eric Holcomb signed SB1 into law after it passed the Senate 28-19. This new law, SEA1, goes into effect September 15, 2022, and will ban all abortions surgically or with an abortion inducing drug except in cases of :
Rape within 10 weeks of fertilization.
Incest within 10 weeks of fertilization.
Lethal fetal anomaly up to 20 weeks post fertilization.
To save the life of the mother up to 20 weeks post fertilization.
If there is a serious health risk to the mother up to 20 weeks post fertilization.
(A physician written certification is required in all these cases.)
The law also:
Terminates the licensure of all abortion clinics
Requires quarterly instead of yearly reporting of all abortions
Allows for revocation of a physician's license if a preponderance of the evidence shows certain violations of the statute have occurred.
Creates an 11 member prosecutorial oversight task force to determine if a county prosecutor has failed to prosecute violators of SB1 and if the attorney general's office should have jurisdiction.
Allows for criminal action in some cases against someone terminating a pregnancy
The law does not allow for the mother to be criminalized.
The pre-existing law requiring an ultrasound at least 18 hours prior to the abortion remains as well as the prohibition against coercing a female to have an abortion. The law also continues the requirement that fetal remains be handled with dignity and respect and not be treated as hazardous waste.
Governor Eric Holcomb also signed SB2 into law. SEA2 contains the following provisions:
Allows for $200 tax refund to Hoosiers
$45 Million to support pregnant women, postpartum mothers, babies and families
Provides grant money for contraceptives. (But not to minors without parental consent) Funding for Natural Family Planning instruction was also included.
Increases tax exemption to $3k for those adopting
Increases tax credit for child from 10% to 20% or from $1k to $2500
Suspends sales tax on children's diapers
Extends postpartum care under Medicaid to 12 months
Caps the gasoline tax at .0295 from Sept - June 2023
Establishes a 13 member Doula Reimbursement Advisory Board
Allows donated breast milk to be covered by Medicaid
Provides for reimbursement for long-acting reversible contraception
$2 Million to Real Alternative (Pregnancy and Parenting Support Programs)
$10 Million to support Nurse Family Partnership
$5.5 Million to Safety Pin (Program to help newborns)
$1 Million for community grants for newborn safety devices
$10 Million Child Care and Development Fund
$700K to provide Medicaid coverage for certain supplies and service
HB1001, was folded into SB2. The above provisions reflect a combination of House and Senate priorities.
While the new law, SEA1, does not fully align with Catholic Social Teaching, it is expected to reduce abortions in the state of Indiana by 95-98%. We mourn any lives that may continue to be lost, but rejoice that more will live while we continue to work for the day when all preborn are saved.