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SDPB Radio Coverage of the South Dakota Legislature. See all coverage and find links to audio and video streams live from the Capitol at www.sdpb.org/statehouse

Sex-Selective Abortion Ban Heads to Governor for Final Approval

South Dakota lawmakers are looking to close a hole in a law that allows women to have abortions based on the gender of the baby. Supporters of House Bill 1162 say other states have already passed sex-selective abortion bans and it’s unlikely South Dakota’s would be challenged in court. Both sides of the issue agree it’s unlikely these abortions happen in the state, but proponents say it’s a way to be proactive. Senator Angie Buhl O’Donnell opposes the legislation.

“South Dakota has a really long list of restrictions that are in place that women have to go through before they’re allowed to terminate a pregnancy. The purported idea behind all of those is that women should have time to consider their decision and get information, but ultimately leave the decision up to them. And that’s why I think House Bill 1162 is a departure from that and takes us down a new road. All of the restrictions that are currently in place are about process and procedure and information, whereas this would get to the specific reason that this legislature would be saying that terminating a pregnancy is or is not be allowed. I think that puts physicians in a really uncomfortable position, and puts women in a really uncomfortable position,” Buhl O’Donnell says.
 
Buhl O’Donnell says the questions women will face about sex selective abortions are invasive and there are other ways to fight gender discrimination in the state. The bill passes the Senate 30-5 and now heads to the Governor for final approval.