Mississippi Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (SB 2427)

SB 2427 would have banned abortions at 20 weeks post-fertilization unless, in the physician’s reasonable medical judgment, an abortion is necessary to save the life of a woman whose life is endangered by a physical disorder, physical illness, or physical injury, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself, but not including psychological or emotional conditions.

The provision would not have applied if the pregnancy was the result of rape or incest, and the rape or incest has been reported to the appropriate law enforcement or government agency.

Abortions performed after 20 weeks would have been required to be performed in a manner that provides the best opportunity for the “unborn child” to survive.

The bill includes legislative findings based on junk science that a fetus can feel pain at 20 weeks.

STATUS

This bill died in a committee, but a virtually identical bill, HB 1400, was signed into law by Gov. Bryant in April 2014.

---

People