The strongest abortion ban in the country is now the law in Alabama in the wake of last week's U.S. Supreme Court Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization ruling.
The Human Life Protection Act was passed by the Alabama Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Kay Ivey in 2019. The lone exception to the ban is pregnancies threatening the mother's life.
Although the law has only been in effect for four days now, policymakers in Alabama have been asked whether there should be follow-up legislation.
State Rep. Terri Collins (R-Decatur), the chief sponsor of the 2019 law, suggests the state improve upon its existing adoption resources and protocol.
During an appearance on Mobile radio FM Talk 106.5's "The Jeff Poor Show," the Morgan County Republican lawmaker acknowledged fewer abortions would mean more babies, which could mean an increase in adoptions.
"I think we should be [easing adoption rules]," Collins said. "I think if we are going to not have abortion at all or very many, then there are going to be more babies. And I think we need to be proactive in making sure we're helping with that. Several years ago, I sponsored some legislation and supported some legislation that gave foster parents a place at the table when decisions were being made about adoption for children that they had kept. I think that we strengthen those.
"I met with an adoptive attorney here in town. He texted me also that day [of the Dobbs decision]. He had 55 families waiting for babies. So, it's just going to be working smarter to help women that are in very hard situations find the best path for them to take, and families that have been longing for a baby have better options than those very expensive ones that are out there. So yes, we've got work to do."
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email jeff.poor@1819News.com.
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
