Democrat cries ‘ugly’ about abortion bill changes [NC]

charlotteobserver.com ^ | May 27, 2015 | J. Andrew Curliss

[Morgana]

Republicans in the state Senate have added provisions to an abortion bill that are drawing strong criticism from a key Democrat in the Senate.

The bill has already passed the House and would extend the waiting period for abortions from 24 hours to 72 hours. The purpose is to give women more time to consider the decision in the hope it will lead to fewer abortions.

The proposal, House Bill 465, passed the House in a 74-45 vote last month.

Now, in the Senate, a substitute bill is set for discussion on Wednesday.

That substitute abortion bill now includes language from separate bills, including Senate Bill 418, which is sponsored by Sen. Jeff Jackson of Charlotte. Jackson is a former prosecutor.

His bill would have changed the language for defining and outlining penalties for a statutory rape or sexual offense to clarify that it applies to someone under 15. Jackson’s bill is a technical change to eliminate current wording that says it applies to a person “13, 14 or 15 years old.” His change would strike 13 and 14 and just say that it applies to someone 15 years old or younger.

Combining the two prompted Jackson to express concern on Wednesday.

On Twitter, Jackson called the move “ugly.”

[capydick]

On Twitter, Jackson called the move “ugly.”

But statuary rape and especially abortion is not, right?

[Gay State Conservative]

I wonder how long I’d be banned if I posted a *truly* ugly photo in connection to this topic.

[Neidermeyer]

Sometimes I wonder what these lawmakers are paid for... So it’s currently perfectly legal to have sex with any girl under 13 due to a poorly worded statute... Muslims of the Carolinas rejoice!

I wonder how many other states have similarly stupid mistakes in their statutes.

[gitmo]

This article is poorly constructed. But I agree with Jackson.