Commonwealth Policy Center honors Gov. Bevin with 'Friend of Life' Award for his work to protect Kentucky's unborn
Media Contact: Nicole Burton
502-564-2611
Nicole.Burton@ky.gov
OWENSBORO, Ky. (Aug. 8, 2019) – In continuation of his fight for the unborn, Gov. Matt Bevin on Thursday ceremonially signed four pro-life bills passed by the 2019 General Assembly, SB 9, SB 50, HB 5, and HB 148, in Owensboro.
SB 9, the Heartbeat Bill, bans abortion after detection of a fetal heartbeat. SB 50, the Chemical Abortion Reporting Act, requires that doctors present information to patients about the reversal of medication abortions. HB 5, the Human Rights of the Unborn Child and Anti-Discrimination Act, bans abortion based on sex, race, or perceived disability. HB 148 states that if Roe v. Wade is overturned, abortions are banned in Kentucky.
“I am deeply grateful to be governor of a state that so overwhelmingly values the sanctity of human life,” said Gov. Bevin. “Kentucky is leading the charge in this vitally important fight for the heart and soul of our our great nation. We look forward to additional work with our strong legislative partners in building on this historic momentum, as we advance critical pro-life protections for the most vulnerable among us.”
At today's ceremony at the Daviess County Courthouse, Gov. Bevin was joined by pro-life bill sponsors Sen. Matt Castlen, Sen. Robby Mills and Rep. Melinda Prunty, Sen. Mike Wilson and Rep. Suzanne Miles, as well as dozens of local elected leaders and community advocates.
Richard Nelson, executive director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, also presented Gov. Bevin with the organization's “Friend of Life” award, honoring his work to protect Kentucky's unborn.
“What many people don't know is that Gov. Bevin's legal team is defending duly enacted pro-life laws that aren't being defended in court by the current attorney general,” said Nelson. “Gov. Bevin is going the extra mile by committing his time, his energy and his staff, to uphold laws intended to protect the unborn. Gov. Bevin is truly a friend of life to future Kentuckians.”
Over the past three-and-a-half years, Gov. Bevin has worked with the General Assembly to enact several vital pieces of pro-life legislation, including:
- SB 4 (2016) – requiring informed consent (in-person or via real-time video),
- SB 5 (2017) – protecting children after 20 weeks of gestation,
- HB 2 (2017) – requiring an ultrasound be shown to the mother before a pregnancy is terminated,
- HB 454 (2018) – banning the gruesome practice of live dismemberment abortion,
- SB 9 (2019) – banning abortions after a baby’s heartbeat has been detected, and
- HB 5 (2019) – banning abortions based on race, gender, and perceived disability.
Today before the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, Gov. Bevin's legal team presented oral arguments in the EMW Women's Surgical Center transfer agreement case — aimed at protecting the health and safety of women. The Governor's legal team is also currently defending HB 454 (live dismemberment law), SB 9 (fetal heartbeat law), and HB 5 (anti-eugenics law) in federal court.