6-Steps to Analyze Abortion Bills3 min read

Introduction

Nullify Abortion is steadfastly committed to abolishing human abortion. As part of that mission, we’re constantly refining our approach. That’s why we’re updating our method for analyzing legislative bills to equip grassroots abolitionist like yourself. While our core principles haven’t wavered, the way we communicate them is evolving to better serve you.

Why a New Guide?

If you’re familiar with our previous guide, these steps will seem familiar. Our methodology and philosophy remain the same. However, after critically evaluating our first guide to reviewing abortion and pro-life legislation, we recognized improvements could be made. This process of continual self-evaluation is absolutely important for success of any organization — that in of itself is worth an article. The initial steps were informative, yet fell short of providing an easy-to-use toolset for those dedicated to abolishing abortion.

The Goal

The goal is that, after reading this article, the layperson will be empowered to effectively scrutinize, understand, challenge, and influence legislation for the purpose of ending abortion, nullifying unconstitutional abortion mandates, and protecting preborn rights.

As we gear up for impactful future initiatives, we’re determined to give you the most effective tools for the fight ahead.

Tools 🛠 Needed for Analysis

1. Legal Dictionaries: Websites like FindLaw or Legal Information Institute.
2. Note-taking Apps: Notion or LibreOffice, or a good old-fashioned pen and notebook.
3. Bookmark Management: Built-in browser features or tools like Pocket.
4. File Storage: Dropbox or OneDrive.

How to Analyze a Legislative Bill

Step 1: 🔭 Scan and Check Status

Start by scanning the entire bill for an overview. This is not an in-depth review. Don’t expect to understand everything this first time through. This is an important step as it helps you understand the entire scope of the bill. Confirm whether the bill is focused on a single issue, or whether the issue of your concern is the primary or secondary focus of the bill. Mark or highlight relevant portions for deeper scrutiny later.

Step 2: 🔍 Examine for Purpose

Next, examine the bill closely, focusing on its stated and actual purpose according to the text. Note the title and any definitions. Pay close attention to “Intent Clauses,” sections that clarify the bill’s intended effects.

Step 3: 💪 Identify Mechanism of Action

Identify how the bill plans to achieve its goals. Assess if it has the legal, financial, or political means to do so. For example, Wyoming’s HB0152 claimed all babies were “human beings at conception” but then proceeds to deprive them of equal protection under the law. Our website is rife with examples of laws which were claimed to have one intention, but in actuality do another.

Step 4: 📺 Research Public Portrayal

Research how the bill is portrayed by the media, politicians, and lobbyists—defined here as organizations or individuals advocating for or against legislation, like Right to Life or even you. Note if competing ideological sides endorse the bill, this is a sign to pay closer attention. What is in this bill causing those who allegedly oppose the murder of babies and those who reject the identity of the preborn as babies to align together?

Step 5: ⚖ Investigate Legislative History

Investigate drafts, sponsors, co-sponsors, and committee assignments. This will reveal levels of support, identify potential allies, and expose any red flags like pro-abortion sponsorship. You can typically find this on Open States. Understanding which committee the bill is referred to is crucial; this indicates where the bill will be scrutinized and possibly amended. It also will help identify future lobbying efforts if this bill is still in the legislative process. Contrary to what some politicians tell you, they do not have to be in the committee which is reviewing a bill — though it helps.

Step 6: ⚠ Determine Actual Outcome

Determine what the actual outcome of the bill will be should it be passed into law — “Will it actually abolish or nullify abortion? Be cautious of wiggle words, ambiguous terms, and exceptions like “life of the mother,” an unneeded term meant to bypass due process. Any bill which doesn’t establish “equal protection” for preborn babies is of major concern.

Conclusion

As with any skill, with practices comes experience, confidence, and speed. When we first started, it took us several hours to review our first bill. Now, we can review most legislation in 10-20 minutes. There will be a learning curve. You’re reading legal documents crafted by lawyers and politicians — they want it to be confusing. However, with this guide, you are not beholden to any news source, lobbyist, or politician. We’ve, hopefully, empowered you to evaluate legislation for yourself, and, as a result, you will use this knowledge to become a herald for the abortion abolition movement.

We have provided these steps not as an end, but a means—an ever-refining tool in the hands of those committed to truth, justice, and abolishing abortion. The real-world impact of any legislative bill goes far beyond its text — it affects lives, eternal souls. As we gear up for future initiatives — there will be more than articles coming from Nullify abortion — let’s continue to be diligent, truthful, and, above all, committed to the abolition of abortion, down to the last letter of every bill.