State Rep. Diana Farrington today voted in support of a plan to protect a mother and child from a dismemberment abortion.

State Rep. Diana Farrington speaks on the House floor in support of a plan to protect a mother and child from a dismemberment abortion.

A dismemberment abortion, or “dilation and evacuation” (D&E), is an abortion in which a health care worker intentionally uses an instrument, device, or object to dismember a living fetus out of a uterus.

The plan approved by the House bans the procedure and creates penalties for violators.

“When children need us, we must support them,” said Farrington, of Utica. “As a lawmaker, I have a responsibility to speak up for my community, including those who can’t yet speak for themselves.”

Abortion is the leading cause of death in Michigan. Twelve states already have had legislation signed into law that bans dismemberment abortions.

According to data published by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, there were 1,777 D&E abortions in Michigan in 2017. That is nearly five dismemberment abortions per day.

House Bills 4320 and 4321 now move to the Senate for consideration.

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