A group of Kentucky lawmakers joined the Commonwealth Policy Center (CPC) at the Capitol on Thursday to address concerns surrounding the state’s pro-life laws.
Richard Nelson, executive director of the CPC, said the legislature has worked to pass laws that restore “a sanctity of life ethic in the commonwealth of Kentucky, and this ethic protects the most vulnerable among us and also, at the same time, supports women in crisis pregnancies.”
During Thursday’s press conference, he said legislation enacted in the past six years empowers women.
“Laws like the ultrasound bill, which fully informs them about their pregnancy; abortion pill reversal legislation fully informs women about the side effects of chemical abortion and gives women a choice if they change their mind in the middle of the two-pill protocol process; the baby drop box bill, which gives women a safe place to give up their baby with anonymity,” Nelson said.
Other bills recognize the humanity of the unborn, such as the 15-week abortion ban, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act and the Human Rights of the Unborn Act.
“One bill, in particular, protects vulnerable human life that survives an abortion,” Nelson said. “The Born-Alive Infant Protection Act was passed in 2020 and in 2021. It was vetoed by Governor (Andy) Beshear in 2020, but in 2021 it went into effect, went into law without the Governor’s signature.”
In his veto message, issued April 24, 2020, Beshear said “existing Kentucky law already fully protects children from being denied life-saving medical care and treatment when they are born.”
Robin Sertell, who survived three saline infusion abortion attempts, spoke in support of Kentucky’s legislation on Thursday.
“I come to share my story with you not because it’s easy to hear or because it’s (a) pleasant topic, but because it’s important that we hear the truth. We know that the truth sets us free,” Sertell said. “We have a lot of counterfeit narratives going out these days, so I come to share with you…so that you’ll be able to discern the truth for yourself.”
Sertell needed braces for her legs and was told she would never walk; she faced various disabilities and issues as a child as a result of the chemicals inserted in her mother’s womb that were intended to end her life.
“Abortion survivors are everywhere. It’s very challenging to speak out…we feel a lot of shame; we feel that shame that our mothers held about us,” Sertell said. “A lot of times, even into adulthood, we feel like we don’t have a place here, that we don’t belong. I’m thankful that here in Kentucky your law now says we belong. Keep it going, would you?”
State Rep. Nancy Tate, co-chair of the pro-life caucus, said she was proud of the work done in both the Senate and the House to protect life from conception until natural death.
“Kentucky is blessed to have one of the most pro-life General Assemblies in the nation, and our presence is no accident. We are here because of you, the citizens of the commonwealth.”
Tate briefly addressed concerns surrounding Kentucky’s total abortion ban, which lacks any exceptions for victims of rape and incest who become pregnant as a result of assault. She said several of her friends, conceived through such violence, have implored her to protect children like them.
“Others in Kentucky, who have also been conceived in rape and incest, have reached out to me,” Tate added. “They are heartbroken and furious that their lives have become disvalued. They have spent their whole life searching for love and confirmation, yet some elected officials devalue their lives even further and take it upon themselves to convince others that their life is worth only the $500 fee for an abortion.”
State Rep. Josh Calloway and state Sen. Steve Meredith also spoke, saying that a respect for the sanctity of human life is the basis of morality and touches many of the issues that the General Assembly will address in their 2024 session, which convenes on Jan. 2.
By Tessa Redmond, Kentucky Today
