An Alabama state lawmaker has proposed legislation that would require men to get vasectomies within one month of their 50th birthday or the birth of their third biological child, depending on “whichever comes first.”
“Under existing law, there are no restrictions on the reproductive rights of men,” the bill reads. “This bill would require a man to undergo a vasectomy within one month of his 50th birthday or the birth of his third biological child, whichever comes first.”
Birmingham-Democrat, State Rep. Rolanda Hollis introduced House Bill 238 on Thursday, which states a man would have to pay for the procedure “at his own expense.”
Hollis explained to ABC 33/40 her thinking behind the controvserial bill.
“Many have seen HB-238 as an outrageous overstep; yet, year after year the majority party continues to introduce new legislation that tries to dictate a woman’s body and her reproductive rights. We should view this as the same outrageous overstep in authority,” she said. “The Vasectomy bill is meant to to neutralize last year’s abortion ban bill, and sends the message that men should not be legislating what women do with their bodies.”
Abortion bill in question
The abortion bill Hollis is referencing is 2019’s abortion ban that Gov. Kay Ivey signed into law, which made it made it a felony for doctors in the state to perform abortions in all cases except where the mother’s life is in danger.
However, the bill was blocked from ever taking effect by U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson back in November.
