Montana Bill would cause a criminal offense of the abortion trade

Helena, Mont. – On Wednesday, Montana's legislators heard a legislative template that created the crime of the abortion trade.

House Bill 609 has three Republican co-sponsors. It prohibits pregnant people or people who help them leave the state or travel within the state to obtain abortion that is illegal according to the law of Montana.

The crime must have been “intentionally or knowingly” committed.

The punishments for the crime of abortion trade would include fines of up to $ 1,000 and up to 5 years in prison, and additional charges could include deliberate, reduced or negligent murder murder.

The few supporters of the hearing of the House judiciary say that the scope of the legislation is tight and that it is about protecting the unborn and the rights of the parents of pregnant minors.

“The abortion trade is a coordinated effort to avoid our laws, to fall below the rights of parents and to eliminate any protection that brings women to safety. This legislation is about preventing bad actors from using legal gaps to transport minors for abortion without their parents' knowledge. It is about preventing a non-regulated abortion industry expanding its range without an accountability, ”said State Rep. Kerri Seekins-Cree (Rbillings), the main sponsor.

Provision of supporters was Robin Sertell from Montanans for Life and Derek Oestreicher, head of legal advisor to the Montana Family Foundation.

More than 20 opponents said it called a draconic fear tactics and say stricter abortion laws that lead to less secure results for women

“We are here to create an immediate crime if abortion has ever been banned in Montana. And that a crime will affect women, will affect their partners, will affect their families, affect their medical providers, affect anyone who supports them if they try to maintain medical care they need, ”said Robin Turner, the legal voice.

Other opponents included numerous people in their personal property, some who work in the healthcare industry. The organizations that spoke out against the legislation included the American College of Obstricians and Gynecolies, Blue Mountain Clinic, the Montana Medical Association, the Montana coalition against domestic and sexual violence, Planned Parenthood Advocates from Montana, Bridgercare, Montpirg and Montanans for Choice take action.

The draft law would apply for all laws committed according to the law of the law. A fiscal note was not published.

If the committee removes it, it goes to the house floor.