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Minutes for HB2813 - Committee on Federal and State Affairs
Short Title
Creating the crime of coercion to obtain an abortion and providing enhanced criminal penalties for offenses committed with the intent to coerce a woman to obtain an abortion.
Minutes Content for Tue, Mar 12, 2024
Chairperson Carpenter opened the hearing on HB2813. The Revisor provided an overview of the bill (Attachment 11).
The Chair recognized Representative Schmoe as a proponent of HB2813 (Attachment 12). She stated that this bill will create the crime of coercion to obtain an abortion, providing enhanced criminal penalties for offenses committed with the intent to coerce a woman to obtain an abortion when she has expressed her desire not to have one. Coercion is abuse, regardless of who it comes from. If a woman expresses her desire to not have an abortion and someone else, anyone else, uses threat of violence, harassment or manipulation to control her decision to carry her baby, that is coercion, and it is unacceptable in any form. She asked the Committee to pass this bill.
The Chair recognized Jeanne Gawdun as a proponent of HB2813 (Attachment 13). She stated that HB2813 provides enhanced penalties for criminal acts committed with the intent to coerce a woman to have an abortion. It will give women who are facing coercion to have an abortion the legal backing they need and is an additional tool for prosecutors to seek justice for these women. She asked those who believe abortion should be a woman's choice to support HB2813 to ensure that it truly is her choice and not someone else's.
Brittany Jones testified in support of HB2813 on behalf of Kansas Family Voice (Attachment 14). She stated that there are currently no explicit laws that give a woman the ability to hold those accountable who may be forcing her to have an abortion. This bill will arm a woman with the option of holding those accountable who forced her to make this important decision against her will. It is a tool for her to seek justice against her abuser.
Hayley Thomas spoke as a proponent of HB2813 (Attachment 15). She works at a pregnancy center in Wichita. She gave two examples of women who came to their clinic who were forced to have an abortion. She is in support of this bill so that individuals are held accountable for interfering in a woman's decision regarding her pregnancy.
Terry Hund spoke in support of HB2813 (Attachment 16). She shared two examples of women who were forced into sex trafficking and then coerced into having abortions. Individuals who have experienced trauma through commercial sex trafficking are among the most broken in our society and studies show it takes years or often a lifetime to heal. Forced abortions add to that devastation and those who destroy lives should be punished accordingly.
The Chair recognized Lucrecia Nold who spoke in support of HB2813 (Attachment 17). She stated that the Kansas Catholic Conference fully supports this bill. It recognizes the importance of freedom for all, especially pregnant women. Interfering with one's freedom is disrespectful and morally degrading.
The Chairperson recognized Sapphire Garcia-Lies as an opponent to HB2813, but she was not present. Her written testimony is attached hereto (Attachment 18).
The Chairperson recognized Tessa Longbons Cox as a neutral to HB2813 (Attachment 19). She is a senior research associate at the Charlotte Lozier Institute. Her research focuses on abortion statistics and trends and the impact of abortion on women's health. She provided information regarding the studies she coauthored. In one study, over 60 percent of the women who had abortions recalled feeling pressured to choose abortion by finances, circumstances or other people in their lives. Interpersonal pressure was most strongly correlated with negative mental and emotional outcomes. In a followup study, they found that close to 70 percent of women who had abortions did not want them. Another study showed that victims of human trafficking have frequent contact with abortion centers and are at risk of undergoing multiple abortions against their will. She believes HB2813 will provide important protections for pregnant women in Kansas.
Chairperson Carpenter stated that there is written neutral testimony from Michelle McCormick, Kansas Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence (Attachment 20).
There being no further conferees, the Chair closed the hearing on HB2813.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 a.m.
