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House approves Unborn Child Pain Prevention Act after adding maternal‑risk clarification
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Summary
Lawmakers passed HB222 to require 24‑hour disclosure about fetal‑pain anesthetic options for abortions at or after 20 weeks; the House adopted an amendment adding explicit mention of maternal medical risks and passed the bill 56–15.
Representative Carl Wimmer introduced HB222, the Unborn Child Pain Prevention Act, saying the bill requires physicians to inform women at least 24 hours before an abortion of possible anesthetic or analgesic options for fetuses at 20 weeks’ gestation or older and the medical risks those options may carry.
“This bill allows parents to make that decision, to make the decision on whether or not to give a pain reliever to the child prior to abortion,” Representative Carl Wimmer said, describing the proposal as permissive and not a mandate.
Members raised medical and constitutional objections. Representative Johnson said evidence about fetal pain and the timing of neural development remains disputed and warned the proposal could impose new medical procedures without established protocols. “It is impossible to anesthetize the fetus without the mother receiving some form of that anesthetic,” Representative Johnson said, emphasizing maternal safety concerns.
Representative Beck proposed Amendment No.1 (02/03/2009) to ensure the disclosure also covers increased medical risks to the mother; the sponsor described the amendment as friendly and supportive. After debate, HB222 as amended passed the House 56 yes, 15 no and will be transmitted to the Senate.
The bill’s language cites peer‑reviewed researchers on fetal pain in floor remarks and specifies 20 weeks as the threshold referenced by the sponsor. Opponents cautioned that administering anesthesia to a fetus could pose risks and that the bill could increase costs and complexity for women seeking abortion care. Supporters framed it as an option that provides information and compassion to women considering the procedure.
What happens next: HB222 goes to the Senate for committee study and possible amendment.
