Louisiana lawmakers consider more restrictions for abortion pill

The Louisiana Legislature is likely to pass further restrictions this year on medication-induced abortion, which allow people to terminate a pregnancy through pills rather than surgery.

Senate Bill 388, sponsored by Sen. Sharon Hewitt, R-Slidell, is part of a national anti-abortion push to prohibit medical staff from prescribing abortion pills online or over the phone and then sending the pills through the mail. The bill would also expands the circumstances under which providing an abortion would be considered a crime in Louisiana.

The Senate Judiciary C Committee voted 3-1 Tuesday for the legislation, with Sen. Gary Carter, D-New Orleans, in opposition. Most state lawmakers and Gov. John Bel Edwards are against abortion, meaning abortion restrictions typically face little opposition before they become Louisiana state law.

Hewitt’s legislation requires that a pregnant person seeking a medication-induced abortion see a Louisiana-based physician for an in-person visit and take the abortion pills in front of the doctor.

Read more: https://lailluminator.com/2022/04/12/louisiana-lawmakers-consider-more-restrictions-for-abortion-pill/