Friday, March 10, 2023

Michigan Legislature Repeals 1931 Criminal Abortion Ban

The Michigan legislature on Wednesday gave final passage to HB-4006 (full text) which repeals Section 750.14 and 750.15 of the Michigan Penal Code. These sections, which were enacted in 1931, criminalize abortion and require pharmacies to keep records of purchasers of abortion medications and of physicians prescribing them. The bill now goes to Governor Gretchen Whitmer for her signature. It is expected that she will sign the bill. WZZM13 News reports on the bill. An injunction against enforcement of Section 750.14 had previously been issued by the state Court of Claims (see prior posting) and the section was effectively overridden by a state constitutional amendment guaranteeing reproductive freedom passed by Michigan voters last November.