NAF's Report on Federal and State Action on Abortion
Issues
December, 1999
Federal Legislation
12/23 - Arkansas decided not to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that struck down the state's so-called "Partial Birth Abortion Ban."In the States
Action on so-called "Partial Birth Abortion Bans":
12/9 - The Ohio House approved a so-called "Partial Birth Abortion Ban." Under the bill, physicians who perform banned abortions would be charged with a second-degree felony. The bill contains exceptions if the woman's life or health are at risk.
12/17 - Kentucky Assistant Attorney General petitioned the 6th U.S. Court of Appeals to grant jurisdiction over the state's so-called "Partial Birth Abortion Ban" that was struck down by the Kentucky Supreme Court.
Parental Consent/Notification:
12/1 - The Montana Justice Department has dropped its effort to defend a 1995 law requiring females under 18 to notify their parents before having an abortion.
12/6 - Arguments began in circuit court regarding the constitutionality of a Florida law requiring parents of any female under 18 to be notified before she can obtain an abortion .
12/6 - Supporters of Alaska's parental consent law appealed to the Alaska Supreme Court for a reversal of a lower court decision declaring the state parental consent law unconstitutional. The law requires females under 17 to gain permission from a parent before obtaining an abortion.
12/13 - A New Jersey Superior Court Judge upheld the state's parental notification law. The judge ruled that the state's interests outweigh the burdens placed on the minor. The New Jersey Supreme Court had temporarily blocked enforcement of the law in September. The State Supreme Court will make the ultimate decision on this law next year.
12/22 - The Texas Supreme Court released rules for the state's parental notification law: Judges must appoint lawyers and temporary guardians for minors who wish to obtain an abortion without parental notification, and the process must remain confidential.
Contraceptive Coverage:
12/1 - California has received a $900 million HCFA grant for family planning programs. The grant will increase funding for the Family Planning, Access, Care and Treatment program. The program provides family planning services for low-income residents.
Other State News:
12/11 - The University of Nebraska Medical Center Board of Regents voted to continue their support of research on fetal tissue obtained after abortions.
12/28 - The Rhode Island Department of Health issued new regulations which permit doctors to prescribe abortion-inducing drugs. Rhode Island has also issued new statutes which permit mid-level health professionals to perform some abortion procedures. The department has since called for an emergency hearing in February ban mid-level health professionals from providing abortions.
In the Courts
12/7 - The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled that damages can be collected for the death or injury of a nonviable fetus.12/10 - A Florida judge unsealed a confidential NAF training document after removing the names of patients and clinics. The material is being used as evidence in a trial over Florida's parental-notice abortion law.
12/10 - A Federal U.S. bankruptcy judge has ruled that Bonnie D. Behn and the Rev. Robert L. Behn, who organized the Operation Save America demonstrations last spring, cannot use bankruptcy to erase a debt to Buffalo GYN Womenservices.
12/24 - A federal judge in Florida dismissed a suit filed by Dr. James Pendergraft and Patricia Windle against abortion protesters. Dr. Pendergraft and Windle had filed the suit under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act.
12/24 - A Florida judge dismissed a federal lawsuit filed by the National Organization for Women to block the production of "Choose Life" license plates.
Around the World
12/1 - School nurses in France will dispense the emergency contraception pill NorLevo.12/6 - Cardinal Thomas Winning, head of Scotland's Roman Catholic Church, announced that abortion should be an issue for the Scottish Parliament to decide rather than the Parliament in London.
12/18 - Overturning her guardian's decision, an Italian court ruled that a 13-year-old mentally retarded Sicilian girl cannot have an abortion. The girl is 3 months pregnant by her 14-year-old mentally retarded boyfriend.
12/23 - New Zealand Justice Minister Phil Goff announced that he will ask the Cabinet to review abortion laws and consider easing access to abortions.
12/24 - In Milan, Italy, mayor Gabriele Albertini announced he will pay low-income pregnant women not to have an abortion.
