Governor Holcomb says he has “no red lines” for the abortion bill expected to emerge from an upcoming special session.

In his first detailed public comments on last week’s Supreme Court ruling striking down Roe v. Wade, Holcomb says Indiana has already taken steps to protect life, and says he wants to build on those. He says he’ll be involved in the process of helping to shape the specifics, a process he says legislators will begin working on even before they reconvene July 25.

Holcomb and legislative leaders announced Wednesday they’ll delay that start date 19 days from the originally announced convening date next week. Holcomb says that’s still ample time to reach agreement on a bill before a mid-August legal deadline. He says he’s pleased to hear leaders reaffirm they’ll move the bill through a full committee process to allow for public input.

Holcomb says Indiana considered and rejected a “trigger law” to instantly outlaw abortion. He says Indiana will benefit from having six weeks to review any pitfalls encountered in the states which did pass those laws.

Trigger laws and pre-Roe restrictions still on the books instantly outlawed abortion in six states after last week’s ruling. Bans in seven other states will take effect in the next month, while courts have temporarily blocked four more. Indiana is the only state so far to call its legislature back into session to consider new restrictions.

Holcomb calls abortion one of the most divisive issues in America, and says it’s of “paramount importance” that legislators pursue a “thoughtful and respectful” discussion.