I don't have time right now to weigh in on this fully -- and certainly not to improve on Amanda's take -- but readers familiar with my apocalyptic IVF series will want to be aware of the sky is indeed continuing to fall. With the caveat that I haven't read the original documents myself, here's Laura McPhee's description (basically confirmed by the AP):
Republican lawmakers are drafting new legislation that will make marriage a requirement for motherhood in the state of Indiana, including specific criminal penalties for unmarried women who do become pregnant "by means other than sexual intercourse."
According to a draft of the recommended change in state law, every woman in Indiana seeking to become a mother through assisted reproduction therapy such as in vitro fertilization, sperm donation, and egg donation, must first file for a "petition for parentage" in their local county probate court.
Only women who are married will be considered for the "gestational certificate" that must be presented to any doctor who facilitates the pregnancy. Further, the "gestational certificate" will only be given to married couples that successfully complete the same screening process currently required by law of adoptive parents.
Ironically, this will probably be killed by attacks from the right, because it acknowledges premarital sexual intercourse without condemnation.
