The ACLU of North Carolina opposes these bills because they would limit access to abortion and interfere in medical decisions that should be left to a patient and their doctor. HB 54 and SB 51 would ban the safest and most common method of second-trimester abortion known as “dilation and evacuation” (or “D&E”). It prevents physicians from using their best medical judgment when providing abortion care, interfering with the doctor-patient relationship and potentially placing patients’ health at risk. This bill is not medically justified: second-trimester abortion is very safe with a low risk of complications. Instead, it would limit the ability of physicians to provide their patients with the medically appropriate care they need.

It would also violate the Constitution by imposing an undue burden on a woman seeking an abortion before viability.

Sponsors

Representatives Johnson, Hurley, Conrad, and Barnes and Senators Krawiec, Ballard, and Sawyer

Status

Introduced

Session

2019-2020

Bill number

HB 54, SB 51

Position

Oppose