Michigan House lawmakers sent a repeal of the state’s inactive 19-31 abortion ban to the Senate today.
The law is unenforceable because of a reproductive rights constitutional amendment voters approved in November.
Democratic Representative Laurie Pohutsky says the ban needs to go anyway. She says Democrats can now focus on other abortion-access legislation.
“There’s been legislation we’ve introduced before around mandatory waiting periods, things that make it difficult for people who may not have steady access to transportation or may not have the ability to take time off of work. Those things were put in place to prevent people from accessing care.” said Pohutsky.
Opponents of the repeal say parts of the ban are still relevant to public safety.
Supporters argue other laws and policies already address those concerns.