Previously, I had posted an article called, “Michigan’s Abortion HB 5711 is NOT as bad as Jezebel and HuffPo make it out to be” which centered on the fact that the information provided in an internet posting by both Jezebel and Huffington Post provided incorrect information. That is still true. However, the bill that both of these sites should also referenced is the Michigan HB No. 5713, which is also known as the “pain-capable unborn child protection act.” This bill makes it illegal to abort a child once it reaches 20 weeks in utero based upon the premise that the fetus may then feel pain. Here is the specific wording:
(4) A person shall not perform or attempt to perform an abortion upon a pregnant individual if it is determined that the unborn child has a probable postfertilization age of 20 or more weeks, unless in the reasonable clinical judgment of a physician the abortion is necessary to avert the pregnant individual’s death.
(5) A person who violates this section is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 15 years or a fine of not more than $7,500.00, or both.
