Bill Banning Down Syndrome Abortions To Be Vetoed

House Bill 321 is a bill that prohibits abortion based on the diagnosis of Down Syndrome.

​Bill Highlights:

• Defines “Down syndrome” as a chromosome disorder associated with an extra chromosome 21, in whole or in part, or an effective trisomy for chromosome 21 (Sec. 1).
• Prohibits an abortion from being performed if the pregnant individuals sole reason for the procedure is that the unborn child has or may have Down syndrome (Sec. 2).
• Exempts individual cases where the unborn child was conceived as the result of rape or incest or in cases where the abortion is required because of a medical emergency (Sec. 2).
• Specifies that this act shall go into effect 60 days upon passage (Sec. 3).

Press Secretary J.J. Abbott released the following statement regarding House Bill 321:

“As Governor Wolf has said repeatedly, he will veto any bill, including House Bill 321, that seeks to limit health care choices for women and politicize difficult moments for vulnerable families. There is no evidence that this bill is needed in Pennsylvania and no disability rights group supports this bill. This bill masks yet another attempt to ban abortions and put politicians between a woman and her doctor.
“What we should be doing is having a conversation about how to help women facing complex pregnancies and people with disabilities get the support they need and deserve. Pennsylvania has made bipartisan progress helping people with disabilities but this is not part of that. Rather, this is a particularly cynical way to impugn women seeking constitutionally protected health care options.”

Additionally, Planned Parenthood has released this statement about House Bill 321:
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​"We can all agree that people with Down syndrome can and do lead full lives. House Bill 321 is not about protecting individuals with Down syndrome and their families. This bill is yet another unconstitutional attempt to ban safe, legal abortion in Pennsylvania. We saw this legislation last session; not a single disability rights group endorsed it, and families with children with Down syndrome spoke out against it. Politicians need to stop wasting time with abortion ban legislation that has already failed. They need to introduce bills that ensure people with disabilities in our communities are treated equitably, free from discrimination, and that they and their families have access to the services and resources that they need."