Ariz. Antiabortion Bill Combines Previously Vetoed Provisions

Main Category: Abortion
Article Date: 13 Feb 2009 - 5:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

A bill (H.B. 2564) introduced in the Arizona legislature this week combines several antiabortion measures vetoed in past years by former Gov. Janet Napolitano (D), a supporter of abortion rights who left her post as governor to take a position in President Obama's cabinet, the AP/Arizona Daily Star reports (AP/Arizona Daily Star, 2/11). State Rep. Nancy Barto (R), the sponsor of the bill, said she hopes that Napolitano's replacement -- Gov. Jan Brewer (R), who opposes abortion rights -- would sign the measure into law (Benson, Arizona Republic, 2/11).

The bill would require notarized consent from a parent or guardian before a minor's abortion and a 24-hour "reflection period" prior to an abortion. It also would prohibit any individual other than a physician from performing surgical abortions as well as spell out in statute what factors a judge may consider in determining if a minor is mature enough to have an abortion without first getting parental consent. In addition, the measure includes "informed consent" language, including providing -- in a face-to-face meeting -- details of the nature of the procedure; the immediate and long-term risks associated with the procedure; the probable gestational age of the fetus; and the "probable anatomical and physiological characteristics" of the fetus at the time of the abortion. Other provisions would require a woman to be told that medical assistance may be available for prenatal care, childbirth and neonatal care; that the father is required to provide child support, even if he offered to pay for the abortion; and that public and private agencies and services are available to assist a woman if she chooses not to have an abortion, whether she chooses to keep the child or give it up for adoption (AP/Arizona Daily Star, 2/11).

Ron Johnson of the Arizona Catholic Conference said that the group believes that the bill reflects "very common-sense, middle-of-the-road ideals that most Arizonans agree with." Pam Grissom, chair of the board for the abortion-rights group Arizona List, said people "don't need the Legislature to tell doctors how to help women with their medical health." She added that supporters of the bill are "treating women like they don't have a brain of their own."

The Republic reports that antiabortion-rights lawmakers "frequently found themselves at odds" with Napolitano, who vetoed at least nine proposals limiting abortion during her time in office. Brewer spokesperson Paul Senseman would not comment on the specific provisions of the new bill but said that "the governor has a very consistent pro-life track record" (Arizona Republic, 2/11).

Reprinted with kind permission from http://www.nationalpartnership.org. You can view the entire Daily Women's Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Women's Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Women & Families, published by The Advisory Board Company.

© 2009 The Advisory Board Company. All rights reserved.

• Additional
• References
• Citations