Arizona and South Dakota Advancing Bills to Protect Preborn Babies with Down Syndrome from Abortion

Lawmakers in the states of Arizona and South Dakota have introduced bills that would protect preborn babies from being aborted simply for having a diagnosis of Down syndrome or another genetic anomaly.

In Arizona, a Senate panel has approved SB 1457, which includes several pro-life provisions, some of which include requiring that the remains of aborted preborn babies be cremated or interred, with mother being allowed input if she wishes; requiring that “qualified physicians” are only allowed to dispense the abortion pill; blocking attempts to send the abortion pill through the mail; and protecting babies with any genetic abnormality from being aborted simply because of their medical condition.

“I am proud to live in a state that values life — all life,” Arizona State Sen. Nancy Barto said. “That means we must make these critical fixes to our laws to protect the most vulnerable among us.”

Cathi Herrod of Center for Arizona Policy, a Focus on the Family-affiliated group, stated her support. She said, “SB 1457 epitomizes the commitment to protect the lives of the preborn and the well-being and safety of their mothers—it clarifies some existing laws and codifies additional common-sense laws affirming the value of all human life.”

Pro-abortion groups oppose the new legislation, with Democratic state Sen. Kirsten Engel stating, “This bill targets women who have a fetal abnormality of some type, and these decisions are made after a pretty long and emotional process. To throw this issue into the cauldron of Arizona politics is just unfortunate.”

In South Dakota, Gov. Kristi Noem introduced a similar bill that would also protect preborn babies diagnosed from Down syndrome.

“The Declaration of Independence summarizes what we all know in our hearts to be true: God created each of us and endowed all of us with the right to life. This is true for everyone, including those with an extra chromosome. I look forward to the day when the Supreme Court recognizes that all preborn children inherently possess this right to life, too. Until that time comes, I am asking the South Dakota legislature to pass a law that bans the abortion of a preborn child, just because that child is diagnosed with Down syndrome,” Noem said in a statement.

It’s estimated that at least 67% of babies diagnosed with Down syndrome in the womb are aborted in the United States, oftentimes under pressure from medical professionals who give parents negative, outdated and inaccurate information about the condition.

Laws like those proposed in Arizona and South Dakota would protect the most vulnerable of preborn children from abortion and are incredibly important in establishing a culture of life.

The Daily Citizen will continue to track these pieces of legislation and provide updates as they become available.

Photo from Shutterstock