Around New England

Three Anti-Abortion Bills Die in New Hampshire

March 22, 2018

Bills that would prevent abortions after a fetus is able to live outside a mother’s womb, require a 24-hour waiting period for abortions, and allow medical professionals not to perform any tasks that violate their consciences all failed in the New Hampshire House of Representatives.

The s0-called fetal viability bill got the closest, losing on a 170-163 vote, according to The Union Leader.

The right-of-conscience bill, which would allow doctors and nurses to refuse abortion-related matters or provide or counsel about contraception, failed 218-109.

The 24-hour-waiting-period bill didn’t make it out of committee.

Supporters of legal abortion claimed victory, saying the bills were either unnecessary or an attempt to undermine access to abortion.

But a pro-life legislator commenting on the fetal-viability bill said a majority of House Judiciary Committee members were pleased to bring the measure to the floor for a vote.

“This is about the values that define us,” said Rep. Kurt Wielder (R-Strafford), according to The Union Leader. “We are proud to support legislation that reflects our values and protects the sanctity of life.”

The bills are considered dead for the current legislative session, which ends in early January 2019.