The governors of Arizona, Montana and Oklahoma—all Republicans—have signed pro-life bills this week.
Gov. Doug Ducey of Arizona signed SB 1457 on April 27, prohibiting abortion-inducing drugs from being distributed through the mail, courier or delivery and banning physicians from performing abortions based on the diagnosis of a genetic abnormality, such as Down syndrome, Tay Sachs disease, cystic fibrosis, Turner syndrome and Noonan syndrome. The bill also ensures taxpayer dollars will not support entities that promote abortions, and it requires proper treatment of an aborted baby’s remains.
“Arizonans can be proud of a state that leads the way in protecting the preborn and caring for women facing unplanned pregnancies,” Center for Arizona Policy President Cathi Herrod said in a press release.
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte signed three pro-life bills April 26 that would have likely been vetoed in recent years by the state’s former Democratic governors.
HB 136 adopts the Montana Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act and prohibits the abortion of an unborn child capable of feeling pain. HB 140 requires pregnant women be afforded the opportunity to view an ultrasound and listen to the unborn child’s heartbeat before undergoing an abortion. HB 171 adopts the Montana Abortion-Inducing Drug Risk Protocol Act, prohibiting the dispensing of abortion-inducing drugs in schools and on school grounds and requiring informed consent.
“Life is precious and ought to be protected,” Gianforte posted to Twitter. “… I proudly signed into law bills to protect the life of our most vulnerable, the unborn.”
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt also signed three pro-life bills into law April 26.
HB 2441 requires abortionists to check for the unborn baby’s heartbeat and prohibits abortion if a heartbeat is detected. HB 1904 clarifies that only board-certified physicians in obstetrics and gynecology licensed in Oklahoma are permitted to perform abortions in the state. HB 1102 adds abortion to a list of unprofessional conduct actions by doctors.
“We want to be the most pro-life state in the country, and I want to be the most pro-life governor,” Stitt said.