Women s March at the Montana State Capitol in Helena, Montana on January 21, 2017. (Photo by William Campbell/Corbis via Getty Images)
An anti-trans bill that would have banned gender-affirming healthcare for trans youth in Montana has been voted down, but another discriminatory bill could still go into law.
The Montana House of Representatives voted “no” to the harmful and discriminatory House Bill 113.
The proposed bill failed to clear the House of Representatives on Tuesday (26 January) with the final vote count 49 in favour, 51 opposed. It was the bill’s third and final reading. Five legislators – all Republicans – who supported it on its second reading changed their positions to oppose it.
Republican-controlled states advance bills to limit abortion - Medicine Hat NewsMedicine Hat News
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Republican-controlled states advance bills to limit abortion
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Bill advances to limit trans youth health care in Montana
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Montana lawmakers heard two more bills on Wednesday that were aimed at changing how the state regulates abortion.
Republican Rep. Amy Regier is sponsoring House Bill 140, which would require health care providers to offer pregnant women the opportunity to have an ultrasound before an abortion, except in emergency situations. It would fine providers found in violation $1,000.
“Helping a woman make the best choice should be the goal of every medical provider, Regier said.
Laurel Hesse with the American Civil Liberties Union of Montana opposed the bill.
“There is no health-based justification for this particular bill and this particular insertion into the doctor-patient relationship, she said.