South Dakota Considers Banning Abortions

Proponents of abortion bans are hoping that the latest proposal before the South Dakota legislature will become the foundation for a legal challenge to the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that made abortions legal in the United States.

Last year, state lawmakers approved a bill that would have restricted abortions to be legal only when the mother’s life was in danger. But a petition campaign resulted in the issue being put onto a ballot for voters to decide. In November, South Dakota citizens rejected the proposed legislation by a narrow margin of 56% to 44%.

Hoping to overcome voters’ objections, the latest proposal by abortion opponents is drafted to appeal to people who oppose abortions but believe that there should be exceptions not only for the mother’s health, but also in cases of incest and rape. The proposal that was voted on last year did not include those exclusions.

An official speaking on behalf of Planned Parenthood told reporters that this latest bill is simply ignoring the fact that voters rejected the last proposed ban on abortions. "The people of this state told the government that they shouldn’t be involved in these intensely personal and very difficult private issues," said Kate Looby, the director of Planned Parenthood in South Dakota.

Each year there are about 800 abortions performed in South Dakota. Looby said that if lawmakers would support programs to help prevent accidental pregnancies, they could reduce the demand for abortions.

Rep. Mary Glenski of Sioux Falls gathered with several other sponsors of the bill in the state Capitol Monday to announce the measure. "It will definitely reduce the number of abortions in South Dakota," Glenski said. Copies of the bill were not made available to the media and legislators would not discuss the specifics being proposed, but the measure was expected to be introduced in the House early this week.