NAF's Report on Federal and State Action on Abortion
Issues
April, 2000
Federal Legislation
4/5 - The U.S. House of Representatives passed the so-called "Partial Birth Abortion" Ban by a vote of 287-141. President Clinton has vetoed two similar bans and has committed to veto this bill.4/6 - A bipartisan group of U.S. House of Representatives and Senators introduced the Global Democracy Promotion Act. The bill would repeal the "global gag" rule on funding for international family planning groups. The "global gag" was enacted last year as a condition for Congressional authorization for U.N. arrears.
4/12 - U.S. Representative Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma) and 28 other House members introduced a "presence of life resolution" stating that 41 days after conception, "brain wave activity" and a heartbeat can be detected. Therefore, fetuses should be considered alive and eligible for full constitutional protections. Although the House will vote on the resolution, it is non-binding, does not affect current legislation and does not require a Presidential signature.
4/25 - The Supreme Court heard arguments on Nebraska's so-called "partial birth abortion" ban. Nebraska Attorney General Donald Stenberg (R) claimed the law was designed to restrict one procedure used only for late term abortions. Simon Heller of CRLP, representing Dr. Lee Carhart, argued that the law is so broadly written it would criminalize most second trimester abortion procedures. A decision is expected in late June or July.
In the States
Action on so-called "partial birth abortion" bans:4/7 - The Kansas state Senate rejected a so-called "partial birth abortion" ban. The House passed the measure 79-40 but the bill died in the Senate with a vote of 20-20. The bill would have required two physicians to certify life endangerment cases.
4/7 - The Arizona House killed the "Jackie Doe" bill that would have prohibited pregnant minors in the state's care from traveling out of state for an abortion that would violate Arizona's standards.
4/26 - The Florida Senate passed a so-called "partial birth abortion" ban. The measure would make procedures described in the bill a second-degree felony.
Parental Consent/Notification:
4/4 - The Arizona House approved a parental consent bill that sets deadlines for judges to act on minors' bypass petitions, and provides exceptions for victims of incest by fathers, stepfathers, uncles, grandfathers and other males living in the same household. The Senate passed the bill on 4/12.
Waiting Periods/Informed Consent:
4/6 - The Minnesota House approved a bill that would require women to wait 24 hours and give "informed consent" prior to undergoing abortions. The bill would require women to receive state prepared information via mail, Internet, phone or in person about avoiding unintended pregnancies, prenatal care, adoption, social services, legal assistance in obtaining child support, and community support services. Physicians who "knowingly" fail to comply with the law would be subject to fines of at least $1,000.
4/7 - The Alabama House passed a series of bills restricting abortions. The measures require clinics to provide women seeking abortion with state prepared information about fetal development; require women to wait 24 hours before obtaining an abortion; and require doctors performing abortions to have admitting privileges at area hospitals. The House also approved a bill requiring a witnessed signature with a photo ID for parental consent for a minor's abortion.
Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack (D) vetoed a 24-hour waiting period measure. It would have required doctors to provide pregnant women with state scripted materials describing public and private services; pictures of a developing fetus; adoption agency information; and a 24-hour hotline number 24 hours prior to accessing an abortion.
4/10 - The Minnesota Senate approved a measure that would require women seeking abortions to wait 24 hours after receiving state prepared materials before having the procedure.
4/14 - Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura (I) vetoed the "Women's Right to Know" waiting period and "informed consent" bill.
Contraceptive Coverage:
4/11 - The Iowa House voted 83-12 to require all health insurance plans with prescription drug benefits to cover prescription contraceptives.
Other State News:
4/19 - Missouri State Representative Don Lograsso (R) attempted to amend the state's tobacco settlement bill to "value human life". State Rep. Tim Van Zandt (D) had negotiated compromise language that would prohibit any of the tobacco money from being used to finance organizations that performed or advocated abortions. Lograsso's amendment was defeated 84-73.
In the Courts
4/21 - Little Rock, Arkansas resident William O'Donnell initiated a lawsuit against Little Rock and Pulaski Counties, and the state, for offering employees health plans that cover abortions for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest. O'Donnell claims that the health plans violate Amendment 68 which allows public funds to finance abortions only to save the life of the woman. The lawsuit seeks to permanently prohibit the county and city from offering coverage for elective abortions.4/21 - The First District Court of Appeals in Florida rejected arguments that the state should pay for poor women to receive abortions if their health is in danger.
Around the World
4/7 - The federal statistics agency of Canada announced an increase in the number of abortions by Canadian women. In 1997, Canadian women had 114,848 abortions compared to 111,659 abortions in 1996, an increase of almost 3%.4/16 - The Catholic Bishop of Auckland, New Zealand, Patrick Dunn, publicly advised sexually active, unmarried people to use contraception.
