May. 06, 2019
HARRISBURG ¬– The House Health Committee today approved Rep. Kate Klunk’s (R-Hanover) legislation to ensure life for babies with Down syndrome. Her legislation,
House Bill 321, would include prenatal Down syndrome diagnoses as a legal reason why babies can’t be aborted in Pennsylvania. The bill now goes to the full House for a vote.
In response to the bill gaining committee approval, Klunk issued the following statement:
“We have a responsibility to stand up for the voiceless. A baby shouldn’t be denied the chance to live simply because he or she faces a prenatal diagnosis of possibly having Down syndrome. We must stand with these perfectly imperfect individuals and support their right to live, their right to love and their right to spread happiness in this world.
“I applaud the House members who supported the bill today and look forward to it receiving a positive vote in the House. Many children born with Down syndrome lead full and productive lives. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 93% of babies born with Down syndrome live to their first birthday and 88% live to their 20s. The life expectancy for someone with Down syndrome has gone from 10 years of age in 1960 to 60 years of age today, which isn’t far off from someone born without Down syndrome.
“House Bill 321 is simple. Just like Pennsylvania does not allow an abortion based on the sex of the child, this bill would not allow an abortion because of a Down syndrome diagnosis. The Commonwealth does not allow for discrimination against girls or boys in the womb and we shouldn’t allow eugenics to prevent babies with Down syndrome from being given the chance at life.”
Representative Kate A. Klunk
169th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Greg Gross
717.260.6374
ggross@pahousegop.com
RepKlunk.com /
Facebook.com/RepKlunk