Indiana Senate approves ‘abortion reversal’ requirement, optional pregnant worker accommodations

(photo supplied / Indiana Statehouse)

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Legislators in Indiana’s Republican-dominated Legislature have voted in favor of a bill that tightens state abortion laws despite objections that it would force doctors to provide dubious information to their patients.

The measure requires Indiana doctors to tell women undergoing drug-induced abortions about a disputed treatment that could stop the abortion process, and bans chemical abortions ordered via telemedicine. The bill also includes a requirement for notarization of a parent’s signature allowing abortion for women younger than 18 years old.

The Indiana Senate, which has a strong anti-abortion majority that has supported numerous restrictions in recent years, voted Tuesday to advance the proposal. The bill is now headed back to the House chamber for final approval.

Indiana legislators also gave final approval to a bill that won’t require businesses to make accommodations for pregnant workers, despite an appeal from Gov. Eric Holcomb for a law requiring more protections.

The proposal allows a pregnant employee to request accommodations and requires the employer to respond in a reasonable time frame, but it does not mandate managers to grant any of the requests. Senators voted 31-19 on the bill Tuesday, sending the measure Holcomb.

The governor said he would issue an executive order ensuring such accommodations for state employees to demonstrate to business owners how such accommodations can work. He has yet to issue such an order, however.