Posted on 02/03/2015 8:53:44 PM PST by Morgana
JEFFERSON CITY • Despite complaints from some medical professionals, a House committee on Tuesday endorsed the first abortion-related measure of the 2015 legislative session.
The measure, requiring women to watch an explanatory video before having an abortion, was sponsored by Rep. Linda Black, R-Desloge. The House Committee on Children and Families passed it 9-3. It now heads to the House floor.
Black said the video would “enhance current law” by offering blind women or those with disabilities a way to review information already required by the state’s informed consent law. Others disagreed, saying it could shame women and provide inaccurate medical information related to when conception occurs and other medical details.
The committee’s stamp of approval comes five months after the Republican-led Legislature overrode Gov. Jay Nixon’s veto of a bill tripling the waiting period before an abortion to 72 hours. Only two other states have a 72-hour waiting period. In South Dakota, the 72 hours does not include weekends and holidays, meaning its wait could be longer than Missouri’s. Utah’s law contains an exception for rape, incest and other circumstances, unlike Missouri’s.
And backed by historic GOP majorities — 117-44-1 in the House and 25-9 in the Senate — Republicans are looking to tighten abortion restrictions once again. At least a dozen abortion-related measures have been filed so far.
On Tuesday, the House committee heard a bill that was sponsored by Rep. Kathy Swan, R-Cape Girardeau. The measure would require the state to annually inspect the only abortion clinic in Missouri, Planned Parenthood of St. Louis.
(Excerpt) Read more at stltoday.com ...
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