ND House kills several bills covering reproductive rights, abortion

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) - North Dakota House lawmakers killed all eleven bills being discussed Wednesday afternoon. A number of them covered reproductive rights and abortion.

Efforts to pass House Bill 1373 failed in a 77 to 16 vote. It called for an unborn child to be considered a human being in cases of murder and assault charges. While some said it was necessary to make North Dakota a true pro-life state, the majority agreed it could criminalize mothers.

“Mercy and justice are two sides of a scale we balance in this legislative body, and today we have a difficult decision that may tip those scales,” said Rep. Kathy Frelich, R-Devils Lake.

A bipartisan attempt to codify fertility treatments like IVF through House Bill 1477 was also voted down 59 to 34. Supporters wanted a law to protect families interested in IVF; opponents say the bill is problematic and creates a number of moral and ethical issues.

“While advocating for an issue for which there is much sympathy, by mandating assisted reproduction, this bill can be viewed as overstepping too broadly into matters of deep personal, religious and ethical conviction,” said Rep. Jared Hendrix, R-West Fargo.

Lawmakers also shut down House Bill 1478, which would have codified the right to use contraceptives. While supporters claimed it was necessary since they felt contraceptives are under attack, the majority of voters refuted that.

“The right to access contraceptive health treatment has not been denied to women in North Dakota. Women can access contraception, receive accurate information and make informed decisions,” said Rep. Karen Anderson, R-Grafton.

Several medical professionals involved with reproductive care testified earlier during the legislative session about how some of these bills could affect the future of IVF in North Dakota.

Another bill, House Bill 1488, which would have allowed some abortions to be done in North Dakota, was voted down in an 87 to 6 vote.