Good News from RTL

Right to Life of Michigan applauds the passage of legislation in the 
Michigan House of Representatives designed to prevent women from being 
coerced to have an abortion against their will. Passing with strong, 
bi-partisan votes of 72-37, the 5-bill package represents the most 
comprehensive abortion anti-coercion policy in the country.
The lead bill in the package, the Coercive Abortion Prevention Act (HB 
4799), creates criminal penalties for actions or threats of violence, 
financial pressure, withdrawing housing support or employment 
discrimination. Other bills in the package require that abortion 
clinics screen for coercion and domestic violence, and then provide 
appropriate referrals to facilitate an escape from the abusive 
situation. All abortion clinics also must post a sign informing women 
of their rights under this law.
Right to Life of Michigan President Barbara Listing thanked 
legislators for their leadership in protecting vulnerable women. "We 
are grateful House representatives have stepped forward to offer women 
support and legal backing against this terrible form of coercion. No 
woman deserves to be forced into aborting her unborn child," Listing 
said.
As many as 64 percent of women who have abortions report feeling 
pressured. This pressure often rises to the level of coercion, as 
housing, university athletic scholarships, and other financial support 
are used as leverage to force women to have abortions. Further studies 
reveal that in an alarming number of cases, coercion escalates into 
physical violence.
House approval of the bills caps 6 years of work to enact this 
protection for pregnant women and a favorable reception of the bills 
is expected in the Michigan Senate.