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Deeply divided committee advances bill targeting disposal of chemical‑abortion waste; opponents call it a barrier to care
Summary
Senate Bill 4-79 seeks to require manufacturers and providers to account for disposal of drugs and tissue from medication abortions and to treat discarded abortion materials as medical waste. Backers said the measure protects waterways; opponents said it criminalizes care, conflicts with Montana constitutional protections and would harm patients.
Senate Bill 4-79, introduced by Sen. Theresa Manzella, advanced from the Senate Judiciary Committee after hours of emotional testimony. The bill would impose disposal requirements and penalties related to pharmaceuticals used in medication abortion (mifepristone and misoprostol) and would require disposal protocols similar to those applied to medical waste; sponsors proposed funding manufacturer remediation and holding manufacturers responsible if their products entered wastewater in harmful concentrations.
Why it matters: Supporters framed the bill as an environmental‑protection measure, arguing…
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