2021 Indiana Code
Title 16. Health
Article 34. Abortion
Chapter 1. Public Policy Concerning Performance of Abortions; Use of Public Funds; Civil Actions
16-34-1-9. Findings; Compelling State Interest
Sec. 9. (a) The general assembly finds the following:
(1) There is substantial medical evidence that a fetus at twenty (20) weeks of postfertilization age has the physical structures necessary to experience pain.
(2) There is substantial medical evidence that a fetus of at least twenty (20) weeks of postfertilization age seeks to evade certain stimuli in a manner similar to an infant's or adult's response to pain.
(3) Anesthesia is routinely administered to a fetus of at least twenty (20) weeks of postfertilization age when prenatal surgery is performed.
(4) A fetus has been observed to exhibit hormonal stress responses to painful stimuli earlier than at twenty (20) weeks of postfertilization age.
(b) Indiana asserts a compelling state interest in protecting the life of a fetus from the state at which substantial medical evidence indicates that the fetus is capable of feeling pain.
As added by P.L.193-2011, SEC.6.
