FRANKFORT, Ky. — A Kentucky House Representative has filed a bill to add exceptions to the state’s near-total abortion ban.

What You Need To Know

  • House Bill 711 adds rape and incest exemptions to the state’s abortion law

  • It also allows abortions for additional medical complications

  • The procedure could only be performed up to six weeks after pregnancy

  • A similar 15-week exemption bill failed to advance last year

House Bill 711, filed by State Rep. Ken Fleming, R-Louisville, would allow the procedure in cases of rape or incest, no later than six weeks after a woman becomes pregnant.

“I’m doing this because of my girls and this is what my district wants, you know, to do. And so I’m doing my job,” Fleming said.

Fleming, who has two daughters, says he’d filed this bill to give women more options.

“We want to make sure that these individuals, these young ladies and women that have an are an option in order for them to look at how to take care of themselves.”

Along with victims of rape or incest, the procedure could remove a dead fetus — if a miscarriage is incomplete — or a lethal fetal condition is detected. 

The New York Times reports 21 states ban abortion or restrict when it can happen. Restrictions range mostly from six to 18 weeks.

“Six weeks popped up to be in several states and to me, you know, the six weeks is probably a good time frame when it comes to that, though some people might differ with that,” Fleming said.

Tamarra Wieder, Kentucky State Director of Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, says they have “deep concerns” about this bill.

“Any bill that is going to restrict access after six weeks of pregnancy is deeply problematic because most people do not even know they’re pregnant,” Wieder said.

Wieder says in other states with rape and incest exemptions, women have a hard time accessing abortions, who would qualify to receive one. 

“And then when we’re looking at deeply traumatic situations with rape and incest, there’s a lot of shame and stigma and problems getting access to care, especially if you’re in of course of or an abusive relationship,” Wieder said.

Last year House Majority Whip Jason Nemes, R-Louisville, filed a 15-week rape and incest exemption bill, which did not advance. 

This year State Sen. David Yates, D-Louisville, has filed similar legislation.

“We want to make sure that these individuals, these young ladies and women that have an are an option in order for them to look at how to take care of themselves,” Fleming said.

The latest state data on the number of abortions performed is only available through 2022. The report found after Roe v Wade was overturned, only three abortions were performed in Kentucky. 

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