S.474 prohibits abortion in most cases after the detection of a form of fetal cell activity that is misleadingly called a “heartbeat.” This normally occurs at about 6 weeks in a pregnancy. This has been described as a more “moderate” approach than H.3774, which prohibits abortion from the time of fertilization.
However, the League of Women Voters does not consider S.474 moderate. It would deprive many citizens of religious freedom, due process, privacy, and basic moral agency in a decision that is personally, medically, spiritually, and economically complex. Bans such as this are not just violations of our individual rights, but cruel.
