LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The 1931 Michigan abortion ban is no more.
On Wednesday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a repeal of the law which banned abortion without exceptions for rape or incest, and allowed the prosecution of doctors and nurses who provided abortions. Michigan mothers who have abortions cannot be prosecuted for abortion under a 1963 Michigan Supreme Court ruling.
The bill signing comes after Michiganders turned out in record numbers and passed Proposal 3 last November, which paved the way to enshrine abortion and other “reproductive freedoms” into the state constitution.
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Gov. Whitmer appeared jovial, as she laughed and joked with supporters, and referred to the 1931 ban as a “zombie law” since it could come back at any time.
“Who would like to watch me slay a zombie?” Whitmer asked as she sat down to sign the repeal.
Whitmer also extended an invitation to women in conservative states with more restrictive abortion bans, as well as the LGBTQ community to make their homes in Michigan.