ND Prepares for Abortion Law Battle


Last month, North Dakota governor Jack Dalrymple signed into law three new measures that seriously tightened restrictions on abortions in the state. The laws are the most restrictive in the nation, with one measure banning most abortions after a heartbeat is detected—which can be as early as six weeks into a pregnancy.

Immediately after signing the laws, it became clear that North Dakota will be a key participant in the continuing battle over a woman’s right to an abortion. As donations surged unsolicited into the state’s single abortion clinic, lawmakers were simultaneously told to prepare for the inevitable legal battle over the measures.

“Although the likelihood of this measure surviving a court challenge remains in question,” Dalrymple said, “this bill is nevertheless a legitimate attempt by a state legislature to discover the boundaries of Roe v. Wade.” The groundbreaking 1973 ruling allows abortions until a fetus becomes viable, between 22 and 24 weeks.

And though the fight over abortion rights is often considered from a religious standpoint for many, Dalrymple says that’s not what drove him to sign the laws. He studied the fetal heartbeat bill and says he educated himself to the best of his ability. “My conclusion is not coming from any religious belief or personal experience,” he stated.

The three bills also ban abortions that are based on potential genetic defects, such as Down’s syndrome. Doctors who perform abortions must be licensed physicians with hospital-admitting privileges. The measures are currently set to take effect on August 1st. And though it would not technically make abortion illegal in the state, it would seriously cut down on the number of women who have a choice in the matter. Many unplanned pregnancies aren’t even detected until women are 6-8 weeks along.

“The impact is very, very clear,” said Julie Rikelman of the Center for Reproduction Rights about the fetal heartbeat bill. “It would have an immediate and very large impact on the women in North Dakota.”




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