Hearing Date Changes for 2 Bills Protecting Unborn

Thursday, April 9

Sen. Bryant Richardson

The hearing date has been changed for Senate Bill 251, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, and Senate Bill 252, the Woman’s Right to Know Ultrasound Act.

SB 251 and SB 252 now are scheduled to be heard in the Senate Health & Social Services Committee on Wednesday, April 15, starting at 10 a.m.

Senator Marie Pinkney, the committee chair, said two hours have been set aside for the hearing. 

That allows about one hour for each bill, unless other bills are also on the agenda at that time.

More than likely, those from the public will only have one minute to testify on each of the bills.

On Monday, April 13, you will be able to sign up to speak. 

Anyone may sign up to testify.

Here’s how to register

Go to legis.delaware.gov  

Go to ‘What’s Happening’ for a list of committee meetings  

Find the Senate Health & Social Services Committee

Select Register for Meeting (or click on the meeting link) 

Fill out the form and register to testify for each of the bills.

Suggestions on testifying

Identify yourself and reason for testifying

Have strong/memorable closing statement

Keep comments to one minute to avoid being cut off in mid sentence

Rehearse and time your testimony 

Make sure any facts/statistics you use are easily verifiable

Personal stories that evoke emotions are powerful 

When telling stories in particular, make sure you stay within the time limit.

About SB 251

Senate Bill 251 protects the life of the unborn child at a time when the potential for the child to survive outside the womb increases, especially with the advancement of medical procedures. 

Testifying as an expert witness will be Dr. Sheila Page, president of the Texas chapter of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons.  

Dr. Page is an associate scholar with the Charlotte Lozier Institute and serves as secretary on the board of directors of Lutherans for Life and on the advisory council of Grace House Ministries.

Dr. Page lives in Texas and will be testifying remotely.

A few years ago, before Covid 19 and the introduction of remote meetings, Dr. Page came to Delaware to testfy in person for a similar bill.

About SB 252

Senate Bill 252 requires a health-care practitioner to offer a patient ultrasound imaging and auscultation of fetal heart tone services before terminating a human pregnancy. 

The patient is free to choose not to view the ultrasound or listen to the auscultation of fetal heart tone.

An exception to this requirement is made in the case of a medical emergency to save the life of the mother. 

Courts have ruled that as the patient must bear the expense, pain, and suffering of any injury from medical treatment, a patient’s right to know all material facts pertaining to the proposed treatment cannot be dependent upon the standards of the medical profession.

The courts have also said an informed choice is better than withholding information at a critical time in a woman’s life, especially since there is a risk of serious physical and psychological complications for women.

Testifying as an expert witness for SB 252 will be Emily Hoegler, policy counsel for Americans for Life.

"The future will not be decided by those who stayed home congratulating themselves on staying above the fray, but by those who show up, speak plainly, organize deliberately, and act faithfully. God honors courage."

David Lane

American Renewal Project