A new fetal pain law is taking effect . . . in Nebraska that targets late-term abortions based on the pain an unborn baby will likely feel during the abortion procedure. The law could set a national trend of other states and Congress considering such measures and could lead to a Supreme Court battle.
-- From "Nebraska abortion law may spread" by Martha Stoddard, Omaha World-Herald Bureau 10/15/10
Nebraska's one-of-a-kind law banning almost all abortions after a fetus reaches 20 weeks might not stand alone for long.
Abortion opponents say they expect lawmakers in several states to introduce similar proposals next session.
Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, based in Des Moines and serving Omaha, Lincoln and Iowa, said it plans no challenge to the new law.
This summer, Planned Parenthood successfully sued to stop implementation of a second Nebraska abortion law.
That measure would have required extensive screening of women seeking abortions and held doctors civilly responsible if a screening fell short.
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From "Fetal Pain Abortion Law Takes Effect in Nebraska, Could Set National Trend" by Steven Ertelt, LifeNews.com Editor 10/15/10
The Nebraska law, Legislative Bill 1103, relies on significant medical research and expert testimony to prohibit abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy on the basis that unborn children feel pain.
The legislation has been hailed by pro-life advocates across the country for its innovative approach and focusing the public's attention on unborn babies who have been medically documented as pain capable at 20 weeks gestation.
The expected opposition -- in the form of lawsuits from pro-abortion groups like Planned Parenthood or the Center for Reproductive Rights, have yet to materialize.
Mary Spaulding Balch, a pro-life attorney who is the state legislative director for the National Right to Life Committee, says abortion advocates may not want to have a national discussion on the pain unborn children feel because it draws attention to their humanity and need for legal protection.
When looking at abortion case law, NRLC says it hopes a new analysis can be established that would ultimately lead to overturning Roe.
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