A bill to allow women who get abortions to sue the doctor who performed the procedure for emotional distress at any point in her lifetime has cleared its first hurdle in the Iowa State Senate. Senator Mark Chelgren, a Republican from Ottumwa, is the bill’s author.

 

Chelgren and other  legislators who back the bill say they’ll consider adjustments, but the concept is now eligible for debate in a senate committee. Erin Davison-Rippey of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland says the bill would set a “disturbing standard.”

 

Three senators conducting an initial review of the bill heard from opponents and supporters during an hour-long meeting late Tuesday afternoon.