Abby Berger of Bismarck stands Jan. State Rep. Karla Rose Hanson said Wednesday that bills protecting birth control and fertilization treatments are necessary because of efforts to erode reproductive health care rights. Hanson, D-Fargo, testified before the House Human Services Committee on two bills she is sponsoring โ House Bill on contraception and House Bill protecting fertility treatments.
For example, lawmakers this session will consider House Bill , known as a personhood bill, which would define a human being to include an unborn child, and an unborn child as existing from the moment of fertilization. Hanson said the bill would essentially make some forms of contraception a crime and threaten in vitro fertilization or IVF.
Several people testified emotionally in support of fertility treatments that they said helped them start a family. Abby Berger of Bismarck displayed a large photo of her child, surrounded by the syringes and vials used in fertility treatments.
No one testified against either bill, and no opposing testimony was filed. The committee did not take action on the bills but did have questions and comments. Kathy Frelich, R-Devils Lake, said she was reluctant to single out contraception and fertility treatments when there are other much-needed medical treatments that are not protected by state law.
Hanson referenced the court ruling in Alabama that shut down in vitro fertility treatments in that state. The same committee will likely hear the personhood bill, sponsored by Rep. Lori VanWinkle, R-Minot, next week. There are other bills addressing reproductive rights this session. Nurses on Wednesday packed a hearing for House Bill on fertility benefits for public employees. A hearing has not yet been scheduled on that bill.
