State legislation is by far the most important cause of increases or decreases in abortion. Most legislators claim to be pro-life, but what have they passed in 2012?
State or Nation | Legislation | Comments | Politics |
---|---|---|---|
Mississippi | The legislature passed HB 1390, which requires that "doctors working at abortion clinics ... have admitting privileges to a local hospital."[1] It awaits the governor's signature. | this is the finest bill of 2012; its approach ends cost-shifting done by many abortion clinics, and the media are reporting that the only remaining abortion clinic may close | |
Utah | passed a law requiring a 72-hour waiting period before having an abortion, but the bill has a loophole allowing the 72 hours to start running from disclosures to the woman that may occur outside of the abortion clinic, as in a referral center | Unlikely to have much effect due to the loophole, but perhaps better than nothing | Moderate Republicans dominate Utah politics |
Virginia | passed an ultrasound bill requiring that women be given the opportunity to view an ultrasound of the unborn child, and that the abortion provider describe the ultrasound to her[2] | This law contains several of the provisions passed in Texas and upheld by the federal Court of Appeals for that state | |
Mississippi | House passed a "heartbeat bill," HB 1196.[3] | There are better bills to pass. | Mississippi is considered the most pro-life state in the nation, but its legislative agenda on this issue has been relatively weak in recent years. |
Categories: [Abortion] [Pro-Life]