(2) No abortion shall be deemed necessary if sought exclusively for either or both of the following reasons: (i) The sex of the unborn child. (ii) A prenatal diagnosis of or belief that the unborn child has Down syndrome.

Problems With SB 21

THE HOPE: Save lives by banning abortion on the basis of a Down Syndrome diagnosis.

THE REALITY: This bill is unenforceable. The mother will still have legal access to murder her Downs baby simply by stating any reason other than the Down Syndrome diagnosis. You can see the weakness of this kind of bill in its very text.

(2) No abortion shall be deemed necessary if sought exclusively for either or both of the following reasons: (i) The sex of the unborn child. (ii) A prenatal diagnosis of or belief that the unborn child has Down syndrome.

Despite the total impotence of the law, and the legislators’ acknowledgement of its continued tolerance of “any reason” abortions, the main sponsors circulated a memo calling this laughable bill “incredibly important legislation.” This is the kind of game that pro-life, republican, and other similar legislators play with the genocide of abortion to win the approval of the people during election season, without having to pay the personal cost that comes with genuinely standing for justice. Don’t fall for it.

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Quick Facts

Bill Name: Down Syndrome Bill

Bill Number: SB 21

State: Pennsylvania

Legislators / Sponsors:

Sen. Scott Martin
Sen. Judy Ward
Sen. Kim Ward
Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill
Sen. Patrick Stefano
Sen. David Arnold
Sen. Wayne Langerholc
Sen. Gene Yaw
Sen. John DiSanto
Sen. John Gordner
Sen. Bob Mensch
Sen. Doug Mastriano
Sen. Ryan Aument
Sen. Scott Hutchinson
Sen. Mike Regan
Sen. Joe Pittman

Post Information

Published On: November 30, 2025

Posted By: Aaron W

THE HOPE: Save lives by banning abortion on the basis of a Down Syndrome diagnosis.

THE REALITY: This bill is unenforceable. The mother will still have legal access to murder her Downs baby simply by stating any reason other than the Down Syndrome diagnosis. You can see the weakness of this kind of bill in its very text.

“(2) No abortion shall be deemed necessary if sought exclusively for either or both of the following reasons: (i) The sex of the unborn child. (ii) A prenatal diagnosis of or belief that the unborn child has Down syndrome.”

Despite the total impotence of the law, and the legislators' acknowledgement of its continued tolerance of "any reason" abortions, the main sponsors circulated a memo calling it "incredibly important legislation." This is the kind of game that pro-life, republican, and other similar legislators play to win the approval of the people during election season, without having to pay the personal cost that comes with genuinely standing for justice. Don't fall for it.