HELENA – The state House has endorsed a bill that would make it a crime to provide abortion services through telemedicine.
The House voted 54-46 in favor of the Republican-sponsored measure Monday.
Under House Bill 587, a doctor or other practitioner licensed to perform abortions or prescribe, administer or dispense a drug or device that causes an abortion could be fined and/or jailed if they are not physically present when providing these services.
Democratic Rep. Ellie Hill of Missoula failed in an attempt to amend the bill to include a telemedicine ban on vasectomies, saying the move was about equality. The amendment was voted down 55-45. Neither procedure is currently done in Montana through telemedicine.
If it passes third reading, the bill will head to the Senate for consideration.