This is the text of the remarks that State Senator Erin Houchin gave at the Indiana Right to Life press conferences on June 20. Good morning. I'm State Senator Erin Houchin from Senate District 47, and I was proud to author Senate Enrolled Act 404 in 2017, which sought to protect young girls, under the age of 16, who seek to obtain an abortion. In Indiana, the age of consent is 16 years of age. When minors under this age seek to terminate pregnancies, it is critical for these cases to be reported to the Department of Child Services and the Indiana State Department of Health to determine if illegal action took place, or if these girls were victimized or are in danger in any way. At these young and vulnerable ages, sometimes as young as 12 years old, it is likely that these pregnancies did not occur as a result of legal, consensual activity. It is the duty of the DCS and law enforcement to examine the circumstances behind each case to determine what, if any, action should be take
