Oct. 21, 2019
HARRISBURG – During a standing room only state Capitol news conference today, Representative Stephanie Borowicz (R-Centre/Clinton) and Senator Doug Mastriano (R-Adams/Cumberland/Franklin/York) officially introduced legislation that would ban abortions when the heartbeat of an unborn baby is detected (
House Bill 1977 and
Senate Bill 912).
“As a freshman state lawmaker, wife and mother blessed with three amazing sons, I am proud that one of my first pieces of legislation has the potential to save the lives of countless unborn babies who cannot speak or stand up for themselves,” said Borowicz. “To all of my fellow pro-life supporters inside and outside the state Capitol, I humbly ask you to stand with me and let your voices be heard that in this Commonwealth we collectively and unapologetically stand for protecting the sanctity of all human life.”
Watch Rep. Borowicz’s comments on her Heartbeat legislation (House Bill 1977)
According to Borowicz’s co-sponsorship memo, House Bill 1977 would require all physicians to determine if there is a heartbeat before performing an abortion and immediately stop the procedure if the unborn child’s heartbeat is detected. A baby’s heartbeat typically can be detected as little as six to eight weeks into a pregnancy, and the latest science confirms that more than 90% of all pregnancies are viable when the heartbeat is detected.
“If a person is pronounced dead when their heart stops why are they not considered alive when their heartbeat begins,” said Borowicz. “Psalms 139: 13-14 makes it simple: ‘For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.’ At the most fundamental level, this heartbeat bill would effectively guarantee that future Pennsylvania children have the right to be born.”
If enacted, Pennsylvania would become one of 10 states this year to ban abortion at or before the baby’s heartbeat can be detected. Louisiana became the latest state on May 30, preceded by Missouri on May 24; Alabama on May 15; Georgia on May 7; Ohio on April 11; Utah on March 25; Mississippi on March 21; and Arkansas and Kentucky on March 15.
Representative Stephanie Borowicz
76th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Ty McCauslin
717.772.9979
RepStephanie.com /
Facebook.com/RepBorowicz