Legislation modeled after a Mississippi abortion statute currently before the U.S. Supreme Court has easily passed the Kentucky Senate. Senate Bill 321 was approved by a 31 to six vote with relatively little discussion. The bill makes it illegal to perform an abortion when the probable gestational age is 15 weeks or greater, with specified exceptions. Campbellsville GOP Senator Max Wise said a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the similar Mississippi case is anticipated this summer.
“I’m bringing this bill to you so that in the event that the Supreme Court upholds the Mississippi legislation as constitutional, we will have a pro-life law in place that would not be subject to a good-faith legal challenge,” said Wise.
Wise said a Supreme Court ruling upholding the Mississippi statute may result in Kentucky’s 2019 fetal heartbeat law becoming constitutional and enforceable.
Casting one of the no votes was Senate Minority Floor Leader Morgan McGarvey.
“There are already similar laws in place on the books. More importantly, this is something that should be left up to the Supreme Court or most importantly, something that should be left up to a woman and her physician,” said McGarvey.
Lexington Democratic Senator Reggie Thomas echoed McGarvey's position that action should not be taken on the Senate bill until the Supreme Court decides the Mississippi case. The matter moves over to the House.
