While a bill proponents claimed would clarify treatment for complications surrounding pregnancy did pass, the measure — which ultimately failed to sway leading reproductive rights advocates or the governor — did not add any new exceptions to the Commonwealth's abortion ban.
Sen. David Yates, a Louisville Democrat, had hoped to get his narrowly-tailored bill creating exceptions in the case of rape, incest, or fetal anomalies over its first hurdle this session, but it failed to get a committee hearing.
Yates says he continues to believe most lawmakers, including enough members in the Republican majority, support his bill to get it moving.
"The majority of members of this legislative body believe that, and so I'll continue to be able to push it at least to be in committee so they can be debated. I believe the people should hear how their elected representatives stand, feel, and have their voices heard," he told WUKY.
Yates says he will file his bill again in 2026.