Oklahoma House Approves Bill That Would Require Abortion Informed Consent, Parental Notification; Bill Goes to Governor

Main Category: Abortion
Article Date: 18 May 2005 - 0:00 PDT

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The Oklahoma House on Thursday approved 95-3 a bill... (HB 1686) that would require health care providers to inform women seeking abortion of the medical risks of the procedure at least 24 hours before performing the procedure, the Daily Oklahoman reports. Under the measure, physicians also would be required to tell women the gestational age of their fetuses and other information regarding the anatomical and physiological characteristics of a fetus at different stages of gestation (McNeill, Daily Oklahoman, 5/13). The measure also would require the state Board of Medical Licensure & Supervision to inform women that they might be eligible for government benefits and their partners would be liable for financial support if they carry their pregnancies to term. The agency also would have to publish this information and a list of agencies and services available to help a woman through pregnancy. The bill would allow exceptions in cases of emergency. The bill also would make it a separate crime to kill a fetus during a crime against a pregnant woman. In addition, the bill would require a parent or guardian to be notified in writing 48 hours in advance of a minor undergoing an abortion but would allow judicial bypass in certain situations (Kaiser Daily Reproductive Health Report, 4/29). The measure, which the Senate approved 44-4 last month, now goes to Gov. Brad Henry (D), who is expected to sign the bill, the AP/KOTV reports (Talley, AP/KOTV, 5/13).

"Reprinted with permission from kaisernetwork.org kaisernetwork.org. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at http://www.kaisernetwork.org/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork.org, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.

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