Senate Republicans approve ‘born alive’ legislation

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MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The state Senate approved a bill Tuesday that would make health-care providers who let a child who survives an abortion die guilty of a felony.

The Republican-authored measure would require any health-care provider present at the time of an abortion that results in a child being born alive to provide the same level of care that any reasonable provider would give to any other child born alive. Violators would be guilty of a felony punishable by up to six years in prison.

The bill also would make the intentional causing of the death of a child who was born alive despite an abortion attempt a felony punishable by life in prison.

Wisconsin Ethics Commission records show various groups are registered against the bill, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault. The Wisconsin Catholic Conference, Wisconsin Family Action and Wisconsin Right to Life are registered in support.

The bill’s chief Senate sponsor, Roger Roth, said everyone should want a child born alive to receive health care and questioned how anyone could oppose the proposal. Democratic Sen. Kelda Roys called the bill garbage, saying doctors are already obliged to save children who are born alive.

The Senate ultimately passed the bill 19-12. No Democrats voted for the measure. It goes next to the state Assembly.