Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Pro-Life Legislation Passes House Committee

Pro-life legislation prohibiting an abortion based on the sex of a child passed a House committee today.

The legislation, House Bill 1595 by Rep. Dan Sullivan, also creates the Statistical Reporting of Abortion Act, which requires physicians who perform abortions to report certain information to the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

“As designer babies become more prevalent, we must do all we can to ensure unborn children are not killed simply because a dad always dreamed of having a son,” said Sullivan, R-Tulsa. “The reporting requirement in this bill will also give Oklahomans detailed information about the abortions that are performed in our state on an annual basis.”

The Health Department would be required to make state statutes and regulations related to abortion and the reporting forms available on its website if this legislation becomes law. Physicians in the state will also be notified about the requirements to report abortion-related information.

Finally, the measure directs the department to publish certain annual abortion reports on its website and to ensure compliance with the provisions of the act by conducting periodic inspections of places where abortions are performed.

“As legislators, we must stand up for those who cannot defend themselves, especially the unborn,” said House Speaker Chris Benge, R-Tulsa. “This bill, in addition to pro-life measures passed in recent years, will make sure women have as much information as possible before making such a life-altering decision.”

The bill passed the House Public Health Committee today and will now move to the full House for consideration.

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