Abortion

Kansas Considers “Heartbeat” Ban

Ohio hasn't even managed to pass its own first of its kind legislation, and already Kansas anti-chioce activists are ready to copy cat.

Ohio’s own heartbeat legislation hasn’t even passed the senate yet, and likely won’t until next fall, but already other states are looking to copycat the ban that would make it illegal to abort once a fetal heartbeat can be detected.

According to the Republic, Kansas is considering pushing the same ban, which would eliminate all abortions after four weeks post-conception at the very latest, in a special session later this fall.

Also much like Ohio, the state is getting pushback on its plan — from local Right to Life members who believe it goes too far.

“We want change to be lasting change, not try to throw the Hail Mary passes,” said Mary Kay Culp, executive director of the anti-abortion organization Kansans for Life, which has offices in Overland Park, Wichita and Topeka.

The group urges incremental action, such as education and working to elect lawmakers who oppose abortion.

“Just because you have a governor that might sign it should it pass both bodies, there’s lots to be considered,” she said. “Is it right for the long run? It’s going to be sued, so where are you going? You end up in the U.S. Supreme Court, where you’re still short a vote.”

Kansas Coalition for Life, who is pushing for the bill in special session, says they might as well see what all they can get anti-choice Governor Sam Brownback to sign since they have such an advocate in office, saying, “What else can we do? We’ve got just about everything else covered.”