Kansas governor vetoes bill to extend child support to fetuses

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ Democratic governor on Friday vetoed a bill aimed at ensuring that child support payments cover fetuses, a move that critics saw as a move by anti-abortion groups toward giving them the same rights like the mothers-to-be who carry them.

The measure was overturned by the governor. LauraKelly it was similar to a Georgia law and measures introduced in at least five other states, according to an Associated Press analysis using account tracking software Plural. Supporters in the Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature argued that they were trying to ensure that costs associated with pregnancy and birth were covered.

But Kelly, a strong supporter of abortion rights, called the move “a blatant attempt” by “extremist” lawmakers to control the private medical decisions of women and families. She also said it conflicts with the will of voters across the state, who affirmed the right to abortion in August 2022 — three years after the Kansas Supreme Court declared that the state constitution protects access to abortion as part of a “fundamental” right to bodily autonomy.

“Kansas has already made it very clear that it does not want legislators to get involved in personal matters,” Kelly wrote.

The Legislature has long had supermajorities that oppose abortion and GOP lawmakers this year overrode Kelly’s vetoes of four other measures supported by anti-abortion groups.

“Now she will not allow women to have the potential to receive additional pension,” said Jeanne Gawdun, a lobbyist for Kansans for Life, the state’s most politically influential anti-abortion group. compassion for women in difficult situations.”

Lawmakers cannot consider overriding the latest veto because they suspended their annual session on May 1 — although they could pass another version during a special session that Kelly promised would call for tax cuts.

Under the bill, judges would have to consider the mother’s “direct and pregnancy-related medical expenses” before the child’s birth, from conception onwards, when setting required child support payments from either parent.

National abortion rights advocates saw new reasons to worry about proposals to treat embryos and fetuses as complete people after an Alabama Supreme Court decision in February, declaring that frozen embryos could be considered children under that state’s laws.

But supporters of the child support bill say Kansas has long granted some legal protections to fetuses.

Kansas had a law in force since 2007 which allows people to face separate charges for what it considers crimes against fetuses – including assault, manslaughter and even capital murder. A 2013 state law it also states that “unborn children have interests in life, health and well-being,” although it is not applied as a limit to abortion.