Senate lawmakers discussed legislation that would changed the legal definitions on children, family relationships. (Sam Bailey/Kansas Reflector)
TOPEKA — A new bill would change Kansas law to allow pregnant women to claim child support for medical and pregnancy-related expenses, starting any time after the date of conception.
Critics say the bill is a blatant attempt to sneak the anti-abortion concept of “fetal personhood” into the state, where Kansas voters have previously upheld abortion rights. Fetal personhood is the idea that life begins at the fertilization of an egg and that fetuses should be given legal rights and protections.
Reproductive rights advocates as well as medical professionals have pushed back forcefully.
“This is a tactic that is used to make it easier to enact anti-abortion laws down the road,” said Taylor Morton of Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes. “It is in direct opposition to broad public support for abortion access in Kansas. Furthermore, you know, the lack of clarity in this bill really makes it unworkable.”