Daines Introduces Bill To Protect Babies With Down Syndrome

U.S. Sen, Steve Daines, R-Mont., introduced a bill to protect babies with Down syndrome from abortion. The bill, the “Protecting Individuals with Down Syndrome Act,” would prevent the selective abortion of babies with Down syndrome. This bill:

•Makes it illegal for a doctor to knowingly perform an abortion being sought because the baby has or may have Down syndrome, or, if the doctor does not know whether Down syndrome is a contributing factor, requires the doctor to first ask the mother if she is aware of any test results indicating that the child has Down syndrome and to inform her of prohibitions put in place by the law.

•Prohibits anyone from forcing a woman to have an abortion because the baby has Down syndrome.

•Imposes a fine and/or imprisonment of up to five years on those who violate the law, and pulls federal funds under existing federal disability anti- discrimination laws from associated abortion clinics.

•Protects the mother by barring her from being prosecuted or held liable for any violation of the bill and puts in place guardrails to protect her privacy in all court proceedings.

Daines spoke on the floor of the U.S. Senate on the importance of his legislation.