Louisiana Law To Ban Mail-Order Abortion Pills Passes Legislature

A new proposed law to ban abortion drugs by mail has passed the Louisiana State Senate in a 31-1 vote. The law is set to ban all mail-order abortion-inducing pills with few exceptions.

In a press interview after the vote, state Sen. Sharon Hewitt (R-Louisiana) remarked that the law does not ban abortions. She noted that contraceptives and “morning-after” pills are not included in the ban and are not considered abortion-inducing drugs.

The law requires anyone seeking abortion-inducing drugs to contact a licensed physician that is authorized to administer the drugs.

Violation of the bill could result in one to five years in prison. 

Louisiana is a part of a group of 13 states with trigger laws that ban abortion immediately if Roe v. Wade is overturned. 

Current laws require abortion recipients to have their parents or guardians contacted if she is underage and unmarried.

The new bill comes just after the Louisiana House passed a bill allowing harsher punishments for unauthorized abortion providers and will move onto the state Senate.

Fines are currently $5,000 to $50,000 but will be increased to $10,000 to $100,000 if the bill passes the Louisiana Senate.