Indiana abortion restrictions bill passes Indiana Senate, heads to House

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indiana Senate has approved a bill that would ban abortions sought due to a fetus’ genetic disability.

The measure passed Tuesday on a 37-13 vote and would also require aborted or miscarried fetuses to be cremated or interred.

Provisions of the bill already cleared the Senate but didn’t receive a hearing in the House. To keep the idea alive, anti-abortion senators amended a House bill to include the same language. The measure now returns to the House for consideration.

Social conservatives say the cremation and interment provisions provide the only dignified and humane way to dispose of fetuses.

But Democrats argued the bill would require women to lie to their doctors if they do not want to carry to term a fetus with Down syndrome or another disability.