Watch live: IndyStar and ACLU of Indiana discuss proposed abortion ban
In advance of the Indiana General Assembly's upcoming special session, IndyStar will discuss the proposed legislation to ban abortions with Katie Blair, director of advocacy and public policy at American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana, at 1 p.m. Friday on our website, YouTube and Facebook Live.
The bill, presented by Senate leaders Wednesday during a press conference, proposes a ban on all abortions except in cases of incest, life of the mother and rape.
“This is a really, really challenging issue,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray, R-Martinsville. “You have to weigh the right of the women to make this decision and the right of the child that isn’t born yet.”
More:Indiana Senate Republicans unveil three bills. One restricts abortion in most cases
More:Indiana Senate Republicans propose abortion ban with exceptions for rape, life of mother
Abortion rights have been at the forefront since leaked documents from the Supreme Court suggested Roe v. Wade could be overturned. If that happened, many speculated lawmakers would craft legislation to further restrict abortion in the state. Now it's a reality after the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson, and Senate Republicans presented legislation that will be considered by both legislative chambers during the special session, which begins Monday.
More:Sen. Minority Leader Greg Taylor expresses concerns about proposed abortion restrictions
“This is the first time in history that the Supreme Court has taken away rights, and so naturally, we’re worried about this moment in time and then what other rights could be at stake,” Blair said. “We know that an abortion ban will be deadly to Hoosier women, and we believe that women should have the freedom to decide their own futures.”
Indiana Right to Life declined to participate in the discussion. However, President Mike Fichter did hold a news conference Wednesday.
"Roe is no longer in place,” Fichter said. “The Roe shield is no longer there, so this is the time. This is the time for Indiana to pass loving and compassionate protections for unborn children. We believe every single Hoosier deserves to be born."
More:Abortion is still legal in Indiana - for now
The ACLU has long watched Indiana legislators chip away at abortion access in the state, Blair said.
“Every year the Indiana General Assembly passes new restrictions on abortion … so we knew that if Roe were to be overturned, that there would be action here at the Indiana legislature,” she said.
Contact IndyStar Public Engagement Editor Oseye Boyd at 317-444-4161 or oboyd@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @oseyetboyd.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana abortion laws: IndyStar to talk live with ACLU about proposal
