Actions Taken On Women's-Health Related Legislation In Alaska, Idaho

Main Category: Women's Health / Gynecology
Also Included In: Abortion;  Medical Malpractice / Litigation
Article Date: 29 Mar 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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The following highlights recent state news about women's health-related legislation.

• Alaska: The House on Tuesday voted 21-15 to approve a measure (HB 301) that would ban so-called "partial-birth" abortion in the state, the AP/Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports (Sutton, AP/Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, 3/26). Rep. John Coghill (R), who is co-sponsoring the measure, has said the U.S. Supreme Court's decision last year to uphold a federal abortion ban (S 3) will allow Alaska to enact the bill he has introduced. The measure mirrors the language in the federal abortion ban (Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 1/24). The measure provides an exception only in cases to save a pregnant woman's life. An amendment that would allow procedures to protect the health of pregnant women failed. The measure will go to the Senate after possible reconsideration in the House. Rep. Beth Kerttula (D), who is opposed to the measure, said the language is vague enough to encompass all first- and second-trimester abortions (AP/Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, 3/26).
  
  
• Idaho: The Senate Affairs Committee on Wednesday approved a measure (HB 654) that would make it a crime to coerce a woman into having an abortion by threatening or committing physical violence, the AP/LocalNews8.com reports (AP/LocalNews8.com, 3/26). Under the bill, anyone who commits violence against a pregnant woman that results in physical injury would be guilty of a felony punishable by up to five years in prison, a $5,000 fine or both. Anyone who commits violence that does not result in physical injury would be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by no more than six months in prison, a $1,000 fine or both (HB 654 text, 3/27). The measure also would apply to anyone who physically threatens or conspires against a pregnant woman (AP/KTVB, 3/25). In addition, anyone charged under the measure could face separate charges for aggravated battery and an additional 15 years in prison under the separate charges (AP/LocalNews8.com, 3/26). The House on Tuesday voted 55-11 to approve the measure (AP/KTVB, 3/25). The measure now moves to the full Senate. Sen. Kate Kelly (D) said the measure is unnecessary because of existing laws governing violence against women (AP/LocalNews8.com, 3/26).

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