A new activist group is pushing back against legislation that would make abortions illegal in Indiana.
The Indiana Reproductive Justice Coalition brought 3,000 petitions to Governor Holcomb’s office Wednesday, asking him to stop the Protection of Life bill if it gets to his desk.
However, it’s unclear that bill would even get that far.
House Bill 1134 would change Indiana code to reflect life beginning as soon as a human egg is fertilized. Under his proposal an abortion would be a crime.
If passed into law, the Protection of Life bill would likely be found unconstitutional, under standards set by Roe V. Wade.
“Once more our rights are being debated,” said Harmony Glen, a representative from Indy Feminists, referring to the legislation passed last year that restricted abortion based only on disability or gender and required burial or cremation of remains. “As Hoosiers, as advocates, as humans, we find this unacceptable.”
The bill may not even be voted on the house floor. Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn), the chair of the Public Policy Committee, could decide to not give the bill a hearing. He did not respond to phone calls about whether he would give the bill a hearing.
Holcomb was out of the office when the petitions were brought to his office by IRJC, a group composed of various pro-choice groups, such as Indy Feminists, Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky, Indiana ACLU and Periods for Politicians.
He also didn’t respond to comment on the petitions, however previously he said he is “pro-life” but would not comment on the particular legislation.
Both house and senate leaders, however, said they aren’t pushing for bills pertaining to social issues this legislative session. On the first day of the legislative session, House Speaker Brian Bosma (R-Indianapolis) expressed reservations about the bill, though said he hadn’t formed an opinion on the bill.
“I don’t think we should buy a lawsuit, personally,” Bosma said last week.
House Bill 1134 is just one of several bills focused on abortion this legislative session. IRJC also criticized a senate bill that would require a mandatory ultrasound 48 hours before an abortion.
Like the house GOP leaderships senate Republican leaders aren’t focused on social issues. However senate leader David Long (R-Fort Wayne) said he wasn’t asking people to refrain from filing social bills.
“Just use common sense and be able to back up what you’re filing,” Long said. “Don’t do it just to make a statement, do it because it’s important policy.”
Chelsea Schneider and Tony Cook from the Indianapolis Star contributed to this story.