Fetal Heartbeat Bill headed for House floor

Alabama is steps closer today to enacting legislation that would ban abortions where a fetal heartbeat is detected. The House’s Committee on Health gave a favorable report to House Bill 405, sponsored by Rep. Terri Collins. The bill passed out of committee by unanimous voice vote.

The Fetal Heartbeat Act says that any Alabama doctor who performs an abortion when a heartbeat has been determined would be guilty of a class C felony.

During a public hearing on the proposal last week, Rep. Collins said she introduced the bill because of her years volunteering in women’s health clinics. “More education – realizing that there is a heartbeat – is critical when moms are making these decisions. Protecting life is important.”