LANSING – Coercing a woman to have an abortion would be a misdemeanor in Michigan, under a bill sent to Gov. Rick Snyder.
The Senate approved the legislation, 26-11, Wednesday with all Democrats and one Republican voting against it. The bill would make coercion a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $5,000; $10,000 if the accused is the father of the embryo or fetus.
Republicans say the bill will protect women and victims of human trafficking. But Democrats say the legislation is driven by politics and doesn't do much for women if it doesn't protect them from other forms of reproductive coercion.
Democrats unsuccessfully urged GOP senators to make it a crime to coerce women to give birth.
