Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Montana politics, elections and legislative news

Montana Lawmakers Reject Proposed Ballot Measure Banning Abortion

A group of Republican lawmakers and protestors gather on the steps of the Montana Capitol for an anti-abortion rally on Monday, Jan. 25, 2021.
Austin Amestoy
/
UM Legislative News Service
A group of Republican lawmakers and protestors gather on the steps of the Montana Capitol for an anti-abortion rally on Monday, Jan. 25, 2021.

Montana lawmakers have voted down a bill that would have asked voters to change the state Constitution and ban abortion in the state. The proposal came in five votes shy of the two-thirds majority it needed — 100 out of Montana’s 150 lawmakers — to advance.

House Bill 337 would use a ballot measure to ask voters to consider changing the definition of a person in the Montana Constitution. The change would give full legal protections to fertilized eggs, zygotes, embryos and fetuses. Effectively, it would ban all abortions. 

Most Republicans in the House and Senate cast votes supporting the bill while all Democrats voted against it. 

Other bills restricting access to abortion have already cleared the Republican-majority Legislature — but have not yet been signed into law. One would ban abortions at 20 weeks' gestation, another would restrict access to medication abortions and a third would require doctors to offer the opportunity to view an ultrasound before an abortion is performed. 

Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte has said he supports a 20-week abortion ban and is generally opposed to abortion care. 

Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that the bill containing the proposal to ban abortion was contained in House Bill 337, not House Bill 339.

Shaylee began covering state government and politics for Montana Public Radio in August 2020. Originally from Belgrade, Montana, she graduated from the University of Montana’s journalism program and previously worked as a reporter for the Bozeman Daily Chronicle and UM’s Legislative News Service. Please share tips, questions and concerns by emailing shaylee.ragar@mso.umt.edu. 
Become a sustaining member for as low as $5/month
Make an annual or one-time donation to support MTPR
Pay an existing pledge or update your payment information

Call 800-325-1565 or 406-243-6400

Related Content