CHEYENNE, Wyo. – An audience gathered in the Wyoming State Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 18 to listen to a discussion about one of the most controversial subjects in many state legislatures: abortion.
A proposed House Bill 197 would require physicians to wait 48 hours before performing an abortion after informing a patient of opportunities to view or hear the fetus, with exceptions to “preserve women from immediate peril.” An abortion can’t be performed after the embryo or fetus has reached “viability.”
Any physician found violating either of these laws would be subject to at least 10 years in prison.
Kicking off the House Judiciary Committee discussion on Tuesday were bill co-sponsors Campbell County Rep. Scott Clem and Sheridan County Rep. Richard Tass, who discussed why they were passionate about backing it. Albany County Rep. Charles Pelkey questioned the waiting period’s medical necessity, which Tass clarified.
“It’s more of a gift for the baby than anything else,” Tass told the representatives during the meeting. “I got letters from women all over the state who’d had abortions and talked about how the decision was made in haste. One girl I knew got pregnant in high school, had an abortion and now lives in Alaska. She told me that she regrets her decision every single day.”
Clem reiterated that if a woman were to be in mortal danger due to her pregnancy, the waiting period wouldn’t apply. He also discussed that when Roe v. Wade was passed in the 1970s, the science regarding fetuses and abortions wasn’t at the highest quality.
“[Abortion] has profound psychological effects,” he testified before the committee. “This just allows a woman to take the time to think about taking a human life. Because a fetus is a human being. A baby is a human being.”
Much discussion was had as to the “viability” portion of the bill, with a number of questions about the definition being directed toward Rep. Clem. Clem responded that if any of the representatives had suggestions for amending the language, he was open to it.
Former surgeon and gubernatorial candidate Taylor Haynes testified before the committee, saying that the waiting period was a good idea, since most abortions are considered “major surgery,” albeit an elective one.
Neither Clem nor Tass could attest to how many fewer abortions would take place in the state if the waiting period were implemented, but Tass said it ultimately didn’t matter.
“If we can save one life, then this bill has been worth it,” he said.
Following the discussion, the committee voted to send the bill back to the House for a second reading. The majority of the representatives voted for its approval, although three (Laramie County Rep. Sara Burlingame, Albany County Rep. Charles Pelkey and Sweetwater County Rep. Clark Stith) voted in opposition.
HB 197 was taken up by the Wyoming House of Representatives on Feb. 13 and was approved by 43 of the 60 senators to send to the House Judiciary Committee. The approval votes included Laramie County Rep. Dan Zwonitzer and Natrona County Reps. Jerry Obermueller and Chuck Gray. The 16 nays included Albany County Rep. Cathy Connolly, Natrona County Rep. Patrick Sweeney and Laramie County Rep. Bob Nicholas.
If signed into law by Gov. Mark Gordon, the bill would go into effect July 1, 2020.
This article originally appeared on Oil City News. Used with permission.
