Ten Commandments in ND Schools And Four Abortion & Reproductive Rights Bills Fail

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — A bill to require a display of the Ten Commandments in schools has failed in the North Dakota house with 38 voting in support and 53 against.

The house also voted 77-16 against a bill to charge women who get abortions with murder.

The so-called “Personhood Bill” would define a human being to include an unborn child in state laws relating to murder, assault and wrongful death lawsuits.

The bill would also establish that an unborn child exists at the moment of fertilization.

Republican Rep. Lori VanWinkle of Minot was the bill’s lead sponsor and said the Legislature’s prior attempts to restrict abortion did not go far enough.

Another bill that would have allowed women to receive abortions for any reason through week 15 of pregnancy failed in the House by a vote of 87-6.

Members also voted 59-34 against a bill to protect IVF procedures.

A bill to protect contraception access failed in the House by 66-27.