By Ann E. Brennan, J.D.
Dept. of State Legislation
Pro-lifers are continuing to be phenomenally successful
this legislative session in passing bans on partial-birth abortions and
are enjoying other significant victories as well.
On April 13, Virginia became the 22nd state to enact a partial-birth abortion
ban when Republican Gov. James Gilmore signed the measure. It had passed
in the Senate (33-7) on February 17, and in the House (78-21) 24 hours later.
Republican Governor James Gilmore signed the ban April 13.
Idaho and West Virginia have also enacted partial-birth abortion bans.
In Idaho the ban passed the House February 19 (54-15) and the Senate on
March 12 (24-11). Republican Governor Philip Batt signed the bill March
16.
"We are pleased that Idaho has joined the national debate on this
issue by banning this monstrous procedure," said Kerry Uhlenkott, legislative
director for Right to Life of Idaho. Republican state Representative Dan
Mader told NRL News, "Idaho has clearly said we think this is
a heinous and wrong procedure and these children should be given the full
protection of the law and constitution."
Idaho also passed a parental consent bill which included woman's right
to know provisions and reporting requirements for abortion. The measure
easily passed in the House (51-17) and in the Senate (23-12). Unfortunately,
Gov. Batt vetoed this bill.
In West Virginia, the ban passed almost unanimously. In the Senate the
vote was 34-0; in the House the count was 96-2. Republican Gov. Cecil Underwood
signed the ban into law April 8.
"With Gov. Underwood's approval, West Virginia recognizes the need
to protect women and children from this barbaric procedure," Melissa
Adkins, legislative coordinator for West Virginians for Life, told NRL
News.
In three other states - - Wiscon-sin, Kentucky, and Oklahoma - - partial-birth
abortion bans have been passed and are sitting on the respective governors'
desks. In Oklahoma the House passed a ban on March 11 (98-0) and the Senate
passed it (42-5) on April 8. Republican Governor Frank Keating will sign
the bill.
The Wisconsin partial-birth ban is particularly notable because the criminal
penalty is life imprisonment for the abortionist. The Senate passed the
ban over 10 months ago and the House did likewise on March 26. Republican
Gov. Tommy Thompson has said that he will sign it.
Sue Armacost, legislative PAC director for Wisconsin Right to Life, told
NRL News, "Wisconsin has taken action to correct one of the
most heinous civil rights abuses imaginable. No longer will partially born
infants in Wisconsin be subjected to the horror of partial-birth abortion."
In Minnesota, pro-lifers passed their top legislative priority - - abortion-reporting
requirements that will require more accurate and complete reporting of abortion
data and provide insight into why women end their pregnancies through abortion.
Jackie Schwietz, executive director of Minnesota Citizens Concerned for
Life (MCCL), said that, "Against great odds MCCL's 50,000 member families
and 176 chapters won out."
Schwietz said that abortion supporters set up numerous roadblocks throughout
the session but that "pro-life legislators stood firm."
Key providers of the new requirements include stipulations that all abortion
providers (not just clinics) submit statistics, report abortion complications,
and list the method of abortion. These changes will more accurately reflect
the true nature of abortion and its impact on all levels of society.
Kentucky has experienced a very productive year. On February 23 its Senate
passed a partial-birth abortion ban (34-2). The House did likewise April
1 (80-13). Democratic Governor Paul Patton has said that he will sign the
ban.
Meanwhile, abortion clinic regulations moved through the Senate on February
24 (35-3) and the House on April 1 (84-10). Gov. Patton has indicated he
will also sign this bill.
A woman's right to know bill sailed through the House on March 11 (75-19)
and in the Senate on March 25 (25-11). However, Patton has signaled that
he will veto this bill. Fortunately, there are seemingly enough pro-life
votes in the House and Senate for an override when the legislature reconvenes.
Margie Montgomery, executive director of Kentucky Right to Life, said,
"We are delighted that our legislators responded to the will of their
constituents by passing three major pieces of legislation. At this point
we are hopeful our legislators will return to the capital on April 15, in
order to override Gov. Patton's veto of our informed consent bill."
To date 1998 has been a tremendously successful year in the state legislatures,
following on the heels of a very productive 1997. "Because of the hard
work and dedication of pro-lifers across the country, by the end of this
month partial-birth abortion bans will have been passed in half the states
in less than two years," said Mary Spaulding Balch, NRLC director of
state legislation. "This is an amazing accomplishment."