House Passes Bipartisan Legislation Banning Late-Term Abortion After Five

Months And Separate Bill Requiring Parental Notification

Santa Fe, NM Today, Democrats and Republicans passed legislation that will
bring New Mexico into line with 42 other states by banning late-term abortions after
five months. In addition, the House passed a bipartisan bill that will require minors
to notify a parent or guardian 48 hours before getting an abortion. Both pieces of
legislation include exceptions in cases of rape, incest, sexual abuse and when the
womans life is in danger. The vote on the late-term abortion ban was a bipartisan
42-26, and the vote on the parental notification bill was a bipartisan 39-28.
These are both common-sense and very reasonable bills that protect the life of a
child after five months pregnancy, as well as ensure parents know when a minor is
going to undergo a major medical procedure, said Reps. Alonzo Baldonado and
Yvette Herrell in a joint statement.
Late-Term Abortion Ban
New Mexico is just one of nine states that do not have a late-term abortion policy.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Yvette Herrell and signed by several Democrats, will
stop a physician from performing an abortion after a woman is five months pregnant
and if the doctor determines that the fetus is viable.
If a woman tells a doctor that her pregnancy is the result of rape, incest or sexual
abuse, the late-term abortion ban is waived. There are no medical tests required. In
addition, if a doctor finds that a womans life is in danger, the late-term abortion
ban is also waived.
There are no criminal penalties. If a physician performs a late-term abortion that is
not an exception, the doctor faces a civil penalty of at least $5,000. In addition, the
doctors license could be taken away for at least a year. The penalties only apply to
the doctor.
Parental Notification Bill
The parental notification bill, sponsored by Rep. Alonzo Baldonado and signed by
several Democrats, will require a minor to give a parent or guardian 48 hours notice
before getting an abortion.
If a minor says the pregnancy is the result of rape, incest or sexual abuse, CYFD is
notified to investigate and protect the minor. Once CYFD confirms that the
pregnancy is from rape, incest or sexual abuse, parental notification is waived.
There are no criminal penalties. If a physician performs an abortion on a minor
without notification, the doctor faces a civil penalty of at least $5,000. In addition,
the doctors license could be taken away for at least a year. The penalties only apply
to the doctor.
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