Remove Criminal Penalties for Abortion Doctors

We strongly oppose the amendment as it seeks to weaken our state’s longstanding abortion law, originally enacted in 1863. Following Roe v. Wade, it was considered a trigger law and would be automatically reinstated once Roe v. Wade was overturned.

This historic law reflected West Virginia’s firm commitment to protecting unborn life for over 150 years. When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, instead of defending and upholding this pre-existing statute, some legislators introduced new measures during a Special Session aimed at weakening these vital protections.

The amendment dangerously attempts to shield abortion providers from true accountability by effectively giving them a license to kill infants with minimal risk of real consequences.

It replaces clear criminal penalties with vague “potential” license revocation, creating a statutory loophole that allows bad-faith doctors to evade meaningful punishment.

In doing so, this amendment prioritizes protecting abortion providers over protecting innocent unborn children and the rule of law.

The Family Policy Council views this as a direct betrayal of West Virginia’s pro-life principles and a dangerous step backward that undermines the state’s ability to protect its most vulnerable citizens.