Indiana GOP sends 'abortion reversal' bill back to committee

By DARCY COSTELLO
Feb. 20, 2017 5:59 PM EST

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — An Indiana House panel will take another look at a measure it narrowly approved last week concerning a scientifically disputed process known as abortion reversal, a rare legislative step that Democrats say reflects widespread problems with the proposal.

Republican Rep. Ron Bacon's bill would require abortion providers to give women information about potentially stopping drug-induced abortions midway through the procedure. He contends providing it could give women a chance to save their baby if they change their minds, but critics say the so-called abortion reversal procedure hasn't been sufficiently vetted.

The measure had narrowly cleared the panel in a 7-6 vote, with two Republicans joining the Democratic lawmakers in voting against it. Measures that clear committees are typically amended further on the floor of the chamber, rather than in the panel where they were first heard.

House Public Policy Committee Chairman Ben Smaltz, a Republican, said the bill is returning so lawmakers can consider amendments. The proposed changes would, among other things, clarify the time period during which advocates say the "reversal" is possible and remove a provision that requires abortion doctors to use an ultrasound to determine the age of the fetus.

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