LifeSite A state representative faces opposition from Planned Parenthood and other lawmakers in his attempt to protect all unborn children.
INDIANAPOLIS, January 21, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – A pro-life Indiana lawmaker has introduced a measure to fully recognize preborn babies’ humanity in state law, ban abortion as murder, and declare Indiana’s prerogative to protect all human life in defiance of federal opposition.
Introduced by Republican state Rep. Curt Nisly, HB 1089 replaces usage of the word “fetus” in state law with “unborn child,” corrects a previous legal definition of “human being” as “an individual who has been born.” It also declares that any federal action, ruling, or mandate that violates the right to life is “is null, void, and unenforceable in Indiana.”
“The courts of the United States have no jurisdiction to interfere with Indiana’s interest in protecting human physical life from the moment that human physical life begins,” the bill continues. “It is unlawful for any official, agent, or employee of the United States government or an employee of a private entity providing services to the United States government to enforce any act, law, treaty, order, rule, or regulation of the United States government that interferes with Indiana’s interest in protecting human physical life from the moment that human physical life begins.”
“It’s clear Rep. Nisly is emboldened by the Trump administration and the spate of anti-abortion attacks across the country and will stop at nothing to strip Hoosiers of their rights and freedoms,” Planned Parenthood of Indiana & Kentucky chief legal counsel Hannah Brass Greer responded, Fort Wayne’s NBC reported. “We have a message to the out of touch politicians who have spent their careers attacking our rights, our bodies and our health care: We decide.”
Nisly’s bill, which he also introduced in three previous legislative sessions, faces an uphill battle to become law. The state group Hoosiers for Life has delivered 40,000 signatures to the state capitol in support of HB 1089 but accused Republican state Rep. Ben Smaltz of attempting to bury it in the House Public Policy Committee.
“Yes, the Indy Swamp is swarming with liars who only care about getting elected,” Hoosiers for Life executive director Amy Schlichter said. “Smaltz knows he has to say he’s pro-life to win a seat at the Statehouse, but once he’s safely in office, he downright opposes ending abortion in our state.”