Louisiana is poised to become the first state to reclassify two abortion-inducing drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol, as controlled and dangerous substances, after a bill received final legislative passage on Thursday. The Republican governor is expected to sign it into law.
The bill will not only defend unborn babies’ lives, but will also protect expectant mothers from coerced abortions, according to many of its supporters. The move comes as the U.S. Supreme Court is set to rule on efforts to restrict access to mifepristone, with the justices not appearing ready to limit the drug’s availability during recent oral arguments.
Louisiana’s GOP-dominated legislature has pushed for tighter restrictions on the pills, which could open the door for other Republican-led states with abortion bans to pursue similar measures. The state currently has a near-total abortion ban in place for both surgical and medical procedures.
Under the bill, mifepristone and misoprostol would be classified as Schedule IV drugs, requiring doctors to obtain a specific license to prescribe them. The drugs would also need to be stored in certain facilities, potentially far from rural clinics. Illegal possession without a valid prescription could result in hefty fines and jail time.
Despite attacks from some pro-abortionists, the bill’s Republican author, Sen. Thomas Pressly, said his aim was “not to prevent these drugs from being used for legitimate health care purposes” but to add “safeguards” after his sister’s husband allegedly slipped her abortion pills without consent.
The reclassification passed the Senate 29-7, mainly along party lines. All five women senators voted in favor.
Pro-life campaigners have praised Louisiana’s move, while Democrats like Vice President Kamala Harris criticized it as “unconscionable.” Louisiana’s Gov. Jeff Landry, a Trump-backed Republican, has signaled support.