House defeats bill allowing abortion providers to be charged with murder

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota House has killed a bill that would have allowed someone performing an abortion to be charged with murder.

The House voted 22-77, defeating the bill that would have carried a life sentence.

The bill also sought to make it a felony punishable by up to five years in prison to help women get abortions, including by giving them rides to abortion clinics.

Representatives voted on that portion of the bill separately and defeated it 6-86.

The bill never had the support of Republican leaders and abortion-rights groups promised a legal challenge if it passed.