For Immediate Release
Contact: Benjamin Clapper | bclapper@prolifelouisiana.org | 1.504.228.4273
Baton Rouge, LA: This afternoon, the Louisiana House passed SB 766, the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, authored by Senate President John Alario (R-Westwego) and carried on the
House floor by Representative Frank Hoffmann
(R-West Monroe), by a margin of 96-0, with 9 members not voting.
SB 766, one of Louisiana Right to Life's primary legislative initiatives in 2012, protects unborn children 20 weeks old (post-fertilization) and older based on the scientific evidence showing that the unborn child can feel pain at 20 weeks. SB 766 must now clear a procedural Senate concurrence vote in the comings days before heading to Governor Jindal's desk.
Benjamin Clapper, Executive Director of Louisiana Right to Life, said the following upon House passage, "A wealth of scientific evidence shows that unborn children can respond to stimuli as early as 8 weeks and can feel pain just like the rest of us as early as 20 weeks. But currently in Louisiana, there is nothing to stop an abortionist from performing an abortion up until the moment right before birth."
"Upon the signing of this bill by Governor Jindal, these unborn children will be spared from the pain of abortion and given the gift of life. Based on Louisiana statistics, we believe through a conservative estimate that at least 150 lives will be saved annually from abortion."
"We commend Senate President Alario, Representative Hoffmann, the House and Senate, and the Jindal administration for their action on this important piece of legislation" Clapper finished.
Louisiana will become the seventh state to enact such a protection, on the basis of substantial medical evidence, that demonstrates that unborn children are capable of feeling pain at least from 20 weeks from fertilization.
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