Republican lawmaker again files bill to add exceptions to Kentucky’s abortion ban

Louisville Republican Rep. Ken Fleming filed a bill Friday that would add exceptions to Kentucky’s near-total abortion ban for cases of rape, incest, lethal fetal anomalies and ectopic pregnancies. 

Abortions in cases of rape or incest would need to happen within six weeks “after the first day of the woman’s last menstrual period,” the bill states. Doctors who’ve spoken against Kentucky’s abortion restrictions have said six weeks is too early for most to know they are pregnant.  

Fleming’s bill leaves determination of rape and incest to “the physician’s best clinical judgment” that rape or incest caused the pregnancy.  

Fleming filed an exceptions bill in 2024 as well. At that time he cited his affection for his daughters as motivation for the move. He was not immediately available Friday to discuss his latest attempt.

Most Kentuckians lost abortion access when, in June 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe. V. Wade, which had established the constitutional right to abortion. Kentucky’s trigger law went into effect immediately, which bans abortion except when the mother’s life is at risk. 

Both Republicans and Democrats have tried to add exceptions to the ban in recent years. All attempts have been unsuccessful. 

Read House Bill 203