RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — House Rep. Keith Kidwell filed a bill on Wednesday to ban abortions across North Carolina with the only exception being “when necessary to preserve the life of the mother.”
The three-page bill titled the Human Life Protection Act of 2023 proposes to add a new section to North Carolina’s law on abortion.
The bill, if approved, would prohibit anyone from performing, inducing, or attempting an abortion.
An exception would need to meet these three criteria, the bill states:
The mother must have a life-threatening physical condition aggravated by, caused by, or arising from a pregnancy that places the woman at risk of death or poses a serious risk of substantial impairment of a major bodily function unless the abortion is performed or induced.
The person performing, inducing or attempting the abortion must be a licensed physician.
The abortion must be done in a manner that “provides the best opportunity for the unborn child to survive” unless it creates a greater risk of the mother’s death or greater risk of substantial impairment of a major bodily function.
A full version of the Human Life Protection Act of 2023 can be viewed here.
Rep. Ben Moss is one of the bill’s sponsors and released the following statement:
“If you are reading this, you have been blessed with the gift of life,” said Moss, “Every human life has value from the womb to the tomb, and I am thrilled to introduce this legislation that will defend the dignity and sanctity of every person. I will continue to promote a culture of life and ensure that every child, regardless of circumstance, is given the chance to flourish and thrive.”
“It’s certainly the first sign of the fight that we’ve been preparing for,” Molly Rivera, the spokesperson for Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, said.
She said the group is watching the bill, and any other ones that come up, very closely.
“This bill shows the true agenda of the anti-abortion legislators in the General Assembly, which is to completely ban abortion really with no exception, taking total control of a person’s private healthcare decision,” Rivera said.
Last week, before the bill was filed, House Speaker Tim Moore commented on members potentially bringing up individual bills.
“I have encouraged members to hold off on just filing something just on their own, to really try to work to build consensus along the lines, at least within the caucus,” Moore said on March 22.
He went on to say he would not be surprised if someone filed a bill.
“I do think that the plan we’re taking right now is one of just trying to be very cautious, but just being very thoughtful in what we do,” Moore said last week.
For months Republicans have been working behind closed doors on an abortion bill.
CBS 17 reached out to Republican leadership for their response to the new bill, and the status of any other potential bills, and has not heard back as of Wednesday evening.