FRANKFORT, Ky. (WHAS11) -- This bill would require women get a consultation 24 hours before an abortion, but the informed consent abortion bill was changed before being voted on by the full Kentucky House of Representatives and now must go back to the Senate for approval.
If the Kentucky Senate agrees to the altered bill it could be sent to the governor's desk.
The House passed the bill by a vote of 92 to 3, but there was a lot of division before arriving at the vote.
A passionate meeting took place inside a packed side office at the Capitol.
The debate over Senate Bill 4 took place during a quickly called Health and Welfare Committee meeting.
"I'm ashamed to be a part of this process", said 18th District Republican, Tim Moore. "But I am committed to life, not because it's a compromise, not because a handful of us want it but because it is right."
The room was filled with committee members and staffers. I captured the moments on my cell phone tucked into a doorway next to the top democrat and republican in the House.
They had wrestled with rules challenges as pro-life representatives tried to force a vote. Those lawmakers would get what they wanted but only after a last minute amendment adding language that a woman could have her abortion consultation via "technology", they called it tele-medicine.
"I think this is a time we're gonna pass this bill", said committee chairman, Representative Tom Burch. "And I think every one of you will have to vote for it when it gets up there or you can register to vote against the very thing you said you want."
Many in the meeting called it the "most important vote" they'd make this session. Republicans were upset they had only minutes to read the 6 page amendment. Still, all but one voted to pass the plan sending it to the floor where the wrangling continued.
And there were more the impassioned speeches.
"I think this is a wonderful piece of compromise legislation", said Speaker of the House, Greg Stumbo. "I think that, what you have before you today, is a reflection of the way representative democracy ought to work."
"I'd be remised if I did not stand up for the women for the women of Kentucky", said 34th District Democrat, Representative Mary Lou Marizan. "I think there has been no outcry from the public that this bill is necessary."
Senate leaders told us they wanted to take a closer look at the altered bill before deciding their next move.
