Abortion-Related Legislation Recently Introduced In Indiana, Texas, Virginia, Wyoming

The following highlights recent news of state actions on abortion-related legislation.

Abortion Regulations

• Indiana: Two bills (SB 135, SB 172) recently introduced in the state General Assembly would require abortion providers to tell women seeking an abortion that life begins at conception and that a fetus can feel pain, the Indianapolis Star reports (Ruthhart, Indianapolis Star, 1/13). In addition, the bills would require that women seeking abortion receive written notice about adoption and potential physical risks 18 hours before the procedure. Betty Cockrum, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Indiana, said the two bills infringe on the doctor-patient relationship and impose religious beliefs on pregnant women (AP/Wabash Plain Dealer, 1/14). Mike Fichter, executive director of Indiana Right to Life, said such information is "critical" for women seeking abortion (Indianapolis Star, 1/13). A similar bill passed last year in the state House but was not approved in the state Senate. Supporters of the legislation have said it has a better chance to pass this year (AP/Wabash Plain Dealer, 1/14). According to the Star, other abortion-related legislation introduced in the General Assembly includes: a bill (HB 1282) that would require clinics to give women information both orally and in writing prior to an abortion; a measure (SB 117) that would allow pharmacists to refuse to fill prescriptions for birth control devices or for medications that would result in an abortion; legislation (SB 194) that would allow physicians who perform abortions to have admitting privileges in the country the procedure is performed and that would allow the patient to be told where she could receive follow-up care from the physician; and a bill (SB 221) that would allow the state Department of Health to create physical specifications for so-called "birthing centers" and abortion clinics that clinics would have to meet by July 2011 (Indianapolis Star, 1/13).
  
  
• Texas: State Sen. Dan Patrick (R) last week filed a measure that would ban abortion in the state if Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that effectively barred state abortion bans, was overturned, the Dallas Morning News reports. "Many of us on the pro-life side and even those on the pro-choice side believe it is a matter of time before Roe v. Wade is overturned," Patrick, a radio talk-show host who was sworn into office on Jan. 9, said, adding, "I want to have a law on the books in Texas that clearly says if Roe v. Wade is overturned, there will be no abortions in Texas." A companion bill has been filed in the House by Rep. Warren Chisum (R). The Texas Senate requires a two-thirds vote to agree to consider a bill before it can come up for debate (Stutz, Dallas Morning News, 1/11).
  
  
• Virginia: The state General Assembly is considering several bills involving abortion and pregnancy in 2007, including a total ban on the procedure if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade -- the 1973 Supreme Court decision that effectively barred state abortion bans -- the Washington Post reports (Craig, Washington Post, 1/15). The legislation banning abortion would provide an exception when the life of the pregnant women is threatened (Washington Post, 1/15). Gov. Tim Kaine (D) has said he would veto any bill that outlaws abortion, the Post reports (Craig, Washington Post, 1/15). Other legislation under consideration would require parental consent before a minor can receive contraceptives; require clinics that perform abortions to be licensed by the state and abide by requirements for ambulatory surgery centers; and make coerced or forced abortions a misdemeanor or felony if committed by the father. In addition, lawmakers are considering bills that would change the state feticide law -- which makes the unlawful killing of a fetus by someone other than the woman a felony -- to include the women carrying the fetus; allow the state to charge a pregnant women with a felony if she misuses controlled substances; and compel the state to study reasons why women receive abortions (Washington Post, 1/15).
  
  
• Wyoming: A bill (HB 144) recently introduced in the state Legislature would require abortion providers in the state to tell women seeking an abortion about alternatives to the procedure and to inform women about the potential risks and side effects of abortion, including "increased risks of breast cancer," the AP/Jackson Hole Star Tribune reports. The legislation, called the "Woman's Right to Know Act," also would require doctors to explain to a woman the anatomical characteristics of her fetus. The bill would require the Wyoming Department of Health to supply abortion providers with printed materials about abortion to distribute to women seeking the procedure. The printed materials would be required to state that there are organizations willing to help women carry pregnancies to term and that the "state of Wyoming strongly urges you to contact one or more of these agencies before making a final decision about your abortion." State Rep. Bob Brechtel (R), sponsor of the bill, said the bill does not aim to limit access to abortion. Sharon Breitweiser, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Wyoming, said the bill "falsely links breast cancer and abortion," adding, "It replaces medical judgment with government intrusion" (Neary, AP/Jackson Hole Star Tribune, 1/11).
  

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