Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Abortion Informed Consent topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate advances amended informed-consent bill for abortion, approves reporting changes
Summary
A Senate amendment to House Bill 200 requires the physician performing an abortion to provide required information, expands who may counsel (including genetic counselors), extends a reporting window from 10 to 30 days, and advances the bill to the third-reading calendar after a recorded vote.
Senators amended and advanced House Bill 200, a measure changing informed-consent procedures associated with abortion. The Senate adopted Amendment 3 to the bill before advancing it to third reading.
Senator Butters, presenting the amendment, said the change requires the physician who performs the abortion to be the one informing the woman of her options and rights, and adds a genetic counselor to the list of individuals who may be involved in that discussion. The amendment also extended the report submission window for the physician from 10 days to 30 days.
During floor debate senators asked about the fiscal and practical effects. The fiscal analyst’s note read that enactment would require $7,000 from the general fund in fiscal year 2011 and $4,000 annually thereafter to the Department of Health for costs related to ultrasounds and educational materials. Senator Davis asked whether that amount would be sufficient to cover costs; the sponsor said the fiscal analyst’s calculation reflected their estimate. Senators opposed and supported the bill on policy grounds: some raised concerns about whether the bill improperly influenced a woman’s choice, while others said it provided critical information that led some women to reverse abortion decisions after viewing ultrasounds.
After amendment and debate the Senate placed House Bill 200 on the third-reading calendar; the roll call recorded 23 yeas, 3 nays and 2 absent.
