A Wisconsin abortion bill supported by Gov. Scott Walker (R) would allow a father who disagrees with the abortion to sue the physician for “emotional and psychological distress,” the Huffington Post reported on Wednesday.
The bill, which bans abortions 20 weeks after fertilization or in the 22nd week of pregnancy, would reportedly allow the father of the unborn child to sue, regardless of whether he has a relationship with the woman having the abortion.
If the physician gives or tries to give an abortion after the 20-week mark, the father would be able to sue for damages, which include “personal injury and emotional and psychological distress,” according to HuffPo. The site reported that the right would be provided to the father so long as the pregnancy was not the result of rape or incest.
The bill would also allow the mother to sue the doctor, according to the Huffington Post.
Walker has said he will sign the 20-week abortion ban if it comes across his desk. On Monday, Walker defended the bill by saying women are mostly concerned about rape and incest pregnancies “in the initial months.”
And last week, Walker defended an abortion bill he signed into law in 2013 that required women to get ultrasounds before having an abortion. He described the ultrasounds as “pretty cool”.
A joint legislative hearing on the 20-week abortion ban was held on Tuesday by committees from the Wisconsin Assembly and Senate. Although lawmakers are soon expected to vote on the legislation, no vote has been scheduled.
