DES MOINES, Iowa — A bill has been introduced in the Iowa house that would ban abortion medications in the state.

Representative Jeff Shipley, a Republican representing District 87, introduced HF 423 on Monday. The bill would make it illegal “for any person to manufacture, distribute, prescribe, dispense, sell, or transfer” so-called abortifacient drugs, like mifepristone, in the state. Anyone who violates the law would be guilty of a class C felony, which would result in a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of at least $1,370 up to $13,660. The bill does not lay out civil or criminal liability for woman who use abortion medications.

The bill has been referred to the Health and Human Services Committee.

Another bill regarding abortion was also introduced on Monday. HSB 186 would require all health facilities where abortions are performed to display signage that would outline the effectiveness of abortion medications.

The bill states the signs should say “recent developing research has indicated that a medication abortion utilizing an abortion-inducing drug is not always effective in ending a pregnancy. It may be possible to avoid, cease, or even to reverse the intended effects of a medication abortion that utilizes an abortion-inducing drug. Please consult with a health care professional immediately.”

Claims have been made that medication abortions can be reversed using high amounts of progesterone; however, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists as well as the Center for Disease Control, say medication abortion reversal is not supported by science, and doesn’t meet clinical standards. Medication abortions are also known to be over 90% effective and safe, according to the ACOG, FDA, and other authorities.

HSB 186 would also require physicians performing medication abortions to inform the patient of the side effects and the controversial treatment of medication abortion reversal, and would require written consent from the patient.

A Health and Human Services subcommittee meeting for HSB 186 has been scheduled for February 25 at 12 p.m. in room 19 at the Iowa State Captiol.

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