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Search Terms: late term abortion AND ban

Document 174 of 179.

February 8, 1999, Monday

SECTION: Local; Ed. FINAL; Pg. 6A

LENGTH: 263 words

HEADLINE: ABORTIONS, SAME-SEX UNIONS ON CAPITOL AGENDA THIS WEEK

BYLINE: John Sanko, News Capitol Bureau

BODY:
Colorado lawmakers face a couple of tough emotional issues guaranteed to provoke intense debate this week: a ban on same-sex marriages and restrictions on late-term abortions.

Unlike previous years in which both measures would likely have been vetoed by former Gov. Roy Romer, they face a friendlier fate if they reach Gov. Bill Owens' desk. Sen. Marilyn Musgrave, R-Fort Morgan, will be in the Senate Judiciary Committee today with her bill banning same-sex marriages. Musgrave already has been assured Owens will sign it.

Romer vetoed two same-sex marriage bans by Musgrave, arguing that Colorado law already limits marriages to unions between one man and one woman.

But Musgrave claims that Colorado needs a stronger statute because court battles in other stages suggest same-sex marriages could be judged legal. Her SB 159 specifically bans such unions.

The abortion issue will be taken up Wednesday in the Senate State Affairs Committee when lawmakers consider SB 80 by Sen. Doug Lamborn, R-Colorado Springs.

Although Colorado voters rejected a ballot issue in November that banned a partial-birth procedure at any time, Lamborn's bill seeks a vote on regulating any abortions performed after the fetus is viable.

Under his legislation, any physician performing an abortion after the first 19 weeks of pregnancy must certify in writing whether the fetus is viable.

If the fetus is viable, a physician would have to certify in writing that the abortion was necessary to prevent a substantial impairment of the life or physical health of the mother.

NOTES:
LEGISLATURE '99

LOAD-DATE: February 11, 1999

Document 174 of 179.


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