AL SB417

Repeals Act 2019-189, which made abortion and attempted abortion felonies effective November 15, 2019, with exceptions only to prevent serious health risks to the mother.

Legislature finds Act 2019-189 is one of the strictest abortion laws in the country, criticized by religious conservatives, President Donald Trump, and others as lacking reasonable exceptions for rape and incest.

Contends the law is unconstitutional under existing case law and will result in expensive litigation that wastes taxpayer resources.

Identifies three urgent health crises that should receive state resources instead: Alabama's fourth-worst infant mortality rate (7.4 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2017), rural health care access crisis contributing to 49th-worst life expectancy rankings, and 140,000 uninsured Alabamians due to failure to expand Medicaid.

Becomes effective immediately upon passage and gubernatorial approval.