Montana governor signs trio of bills restricting abortion

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) on Monday signed three bills seeking to restrict abortion in the state, including one piece of legislation that bans abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

One of the bills bans the procedure at the 20-week mark, while the other two require health care providers give pregnant people the option of viewing an ultrasound before having an abortion and place restrictions on abortion pills.

The latter bill, known as HB171, would require that abortion pills be administered in-person, rather than through a virtual visit or other options.

Gianforte on Twitter lauded the legislation and shared that “life if precious and ought to be protected.” 

Life is precious and ought to be protected.

Today, I proudly signed into law bills to protect the life of our most vulnerable, the unborn. pic.twitter.com/RDYnE71gmM

— Governor Greg Gianforte (@GovGianforte) April 26, 2021

Opponents of the bills argue that they interfere with the decision between people seeking abortions and their health care providers, The Associated Press reported. Critics of HB171 also say the law will disproportionately target low-income, rural and Native American people in the state seeking abortions.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) on Monday also signed three anti-abortion bills into law, including one that would mean doctors who perform the procedure would be charged with homicide under certain circumstances.