26-02-2025
Removal of abortion exemptions for rape, incest sees its third introduction to the West Virginia legislature
CLARKSBURG, (WBOY) — A bill that would remove abortion exemptions for rape and incest has been introduced to the West Virginia legislature for the third time in as many weeks, this time called Senate Bill 608.
Similar to Senate Bill 51, and House Bill 2712 before it, SB 608 would amend §16-2R-3 of the West Virginia state code so that victims of sexual assault or incest would be blocked from receiving an abortion in the state of West Virginia, even if the victim is a minor or considered incompetent or incapacitated.
Senate Bill 51 was withdrawn earlier in February, but if HB 2712 or SB 608 were passed, only three legal avenues would remain for women seeking an abortion:
The embryo or fetus is nonviable,
The pregnancy is ectopic, which is when a fertilized egg is outside the uterus,
or if a medical emergency exists.
SB 608 was introduced on Wednesday, and Patricia Rucker (R – Jefferson, 16) is the bill's only sponsor. Earlier in the session, Rucker also put forward another bill, SB 85; SB 85 would prohibit the use or sale of 'abortifacients,' which are defined as 'any drug, medicine, substance, chemical, or means used to cause an abortion which either requires a prescription based on FDA guidelines or is not approved by the FDA and is primarily used to cause an abortion.'
West Virginia senator withdraws bill that would've removed abortion exemptions after voter backlash
You can read the bill in its entirety below, or online. You can also track the status of SB 608 on the West Virginia Legislature website.
sb608-intrDownload
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