Submitted by Office of U.S. Sen. Todd Young
Young
U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) is co-sponsoring the Respectful Treatment of Unborn Remains Act, legislation introduced by Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) to ensure abortion victims receive the dignity they deserve by prohibiting abortion providers from disposing of fetal remains in publicly owned water systems.
“I appreciate the leadership of Senator Banks to correct this injustice,” Sen. Young said. “The discard of aborted baby remains into our public water systems is inhumane and unacceptable. Supporting this bill is important from both a moral and public safety perspective.”
According to Sen. Young, currently, some abortion providers choose to cast remains of aborted babies down the garbage disposal and into public sewage out of convenience. The Respectful Treatment of Unborn Remains Act would prohibit this inhumane process and restore dignity to abortion victims.
More specifically, the bill would prohibit an abortion provider from disposing of fetal remains in publicly owned water systems, including drains and pipes controlled by federal, state, or local government entities. Those who violate the law would be subject to a fine and up to five years in prison.
Click here to read the full text of the bill.
I have worked in the medical field for almost 20 years. I read the text of the Respectful Treatment of Unborn Remains Act and I am confused. State and federal rules and regulations for medical waste disposal that define how each category of medical waste should be collected and disposed of are already in place and include fetal remains. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) all have a role in regulating biological waste. The bill states “An abortion provider may not cause fetal remains to be placed into a publicly owned water system”. Abortion provider are already prohibited from disposing of fetal remains in publicly owned water systems. If Sen. Young, has knowledge of abortion providers who “choose to cast remains of aborted babies down the garbage disposal and into public sewage out of convenience”, he should report this to the appropriate agency. Medical providers are well educated and consistently updated on procedures regarding these regulations and any medical professional know the risks of improper handling and disposal. I feel this bill is a waste of time when Congress needs its time to focus on actual issues.