SENATE DEFEATS ANTI-CHOICE BILL
AUGUSTA—Today the State Senate defeated a so-called “fetal rights” bill in a vote of 18 – 15. If passed,LD 1463 “An Act Regarding Offenses against an Unborn Child” would have granted separate legal rights to a fetus and created additional criminal offenses for violent crimes against pregnant women.
“This bill creates separate legal rights for a fetus which in turn creates a conflict between a fetus and a woman. We are sanctioning government intrusion in to the patient-doctor relationship and potentially putting the health of a pregnant woman in jeopardy,” said Assistant Democratic Leader, Senator Justin Alfond of Portland
Many members leading the charge against the bill said that this proposal was one step closer to criminalizing abortion and reversing Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark Supreme Court case which decided that a woman’s right to choose is protected under the 14th amendment’s right to privacy.
During the floor debate, Senator Stan Gerzofsky of Brunswick said, “As lawmakers we should not debate religion. This bill puts lawmakers at the center of the quagmire deciding when life begins and that’s a religious question.” Senator Gerzofsky then paraphrased a speech by President John F. Kennedy in saying, “I’m Catholic but I didn’t get elected to represent my religion; I’m standing here today representing my district and also the people of Maine.”
Senator Gerzofsky, who currently serves on the Criminal Justice Committee before which this bill appeared, referenced his service on the Judiciary Committee in 2005 when the legislature debated and passed the Motherhood Protection Act—which mandates a judge provide special consideration in conviction and sentencing of someone who perpetrates violence toward a pregnant woman.
“I have not heard from any prosecuting attorneys or judges that this bill is necessary. In fact the only ones leading the charge for this bill are the Christian Civic League and the Right to Life coalition,” said Senator Gerzofsky.
Those in opposition to the bill include, the Maine Civil Liberties Union, the Maine Women’s Lobby, the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence, the Maine Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the Maine Family Planning Association. Five Republicans joined Democrats in the defeat of LD 1463.
“This bill politicizes pregnant women,” said Senator Margaret Craven of Lewiston.
The bill is expected to go to the House of Representatives for a vote later in the week.