Oklahoma, Montana Governors Sign Abortion Bans

CNN: Oklahoma Governor Signs Near-Total Abortion Ban Into Law 
Oklahoma Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a near-total abortion ban and two other abortion restrictions into law on Monday, sending a sweeping message that the state-level fight over access to the procedure is far from over. The Sooner State became the second state this year to enact a so-called heartbeat ban -- a law barring most abortions at the onset of a fetal heartbeat, which can occur as early as six weeks into a pregnancy and before many people know they are pregnant. (Kelly, 4/26)

Billings Gazette: Gianforte Signs Bills Restricting Access To Abortions
Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte on Monday signed three bills to limit access to abortion in the state. The bills Gianforte signed ban abortions after 20 weeks gestational age, require a woman be informed of the option to view an ultrasound before an abortion and require informed consent before a drug-induced abortion. Gianforte is the state’s first Republican governor in 16 years and campaigned on an agenda that included limiting access to abortions in the state. Legislation similar to the bills Gianforte signed into law Monday have advanced in past sessions but were vetoed by past Democratic governors. (Michels, 4/26)

In news about policies for transgender people —

Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio To Allow Birth Certificate Gender Marker Changes For Transgender People
Transgender people born in Ohio will soon be able to change the gender on their birth certificates. The Ohio Department of Health will not appeal a December court decision requiring the agency to accept requests from transgender people to reflect a gender different from the one assigned at birth, according to a Thursday court filing. The department is working on a process for people to request the change and expects to have it in place by June 1. The agency is also "updating its communications on this issue to reflect compliance with the Court’s December 16, 2020 Order," according to the filing. (Borchardt, 4/26)

Modern Healthcare: AMA Urges Governors To Stop Bills Barring Care For Trans Youth
In a letter to the National Governor's Association, the American Medical Association urged opposition to state legislation barring physicians from providing transgender minors with care related to their transition. "We believe it is harmful for any state to legislatively dictate that certain transition related services are never appropriate," wrote AMA CEO and Executive Vice President Dr. James Madara. (Gellman, 4/26)

In other news from the states —

CBS News: Mississippi Prisons End Contract With Controversial Food Provider
A company accused of serving rotten and spoiled meals to inmates in Mississippi is no longer providing food in the state's correctional facilities. The state began a new, three-year deal with the company Merchants Foodservice on March 1 to provide meals to 15 prisons, youth centers and other facilities across the state, according to an agreement signed by Burl Cain, the state's prison commissioner. The deal ends the state's five-year, multimillion-dollar relationship with the company Aramark. (Carissimo, 4/26)

AP: House Passes Bill Allowing Cameras In Nursing Home Rooms
The Connecticut House of Representatives on Monday overwhelmingly passed legislation that will let residents of nursing homes install cameras in their rooms, allowing them to be monitored virtually by their families. While the issue had been raised in previous legislative sessions, it took on new life this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a visitation ban at nursing homes across the state to prevent the spread of disease. (4/27)

CIDRAP: Measles Infects 2 Children In Connecticut Household
Connecticut's Department of Public Health (CDPH) recently reported two measles cases in a Fairfield County household, the first of which was linked to international travel. State officials reported the first case on Apr 9, which involved a child who wasn't yet vaccinated against measles and contracted the infection during international travel. On Apr 23, it reported a second case in a child from the household. The CDPH said it is working with local partners to identify contacts and implement control measures and that the cases mark the state's first measles reports since 2019. (4/26)

AP: Maine Eyes Creation Of COVID-19 Memorial
Maine might create a memorial for victims of COVID-19 in its state capital city. Democratic Sen. Ben Chipman has introduced a proposal that would lead to the creation of the memorial on the grounds of the Maine State House. The proposal would direct the Legislative Council to fund and design the memorial, the Maine Legislature Senate Majority Office said on Monday. (4/27)

The Baltimore Sun: 3 Maryland Families For Years Criticized David Fowler’s Rulings As Medical Examiner. Then Came Derek Chauvin’s Trial. 
For years, the families of Anton Black, Karreem Ali and Tyrone West have tried to get someone — anyone — to listen. They filed lawsuits, held vigils and investigated, all in hopes of making people take another look at former Maryland Chief Medical Examiner David Fowler’s conclusion that police weren’t responsible for their loved ones’ deaths. Earlier this month, Fowler testified that the Minnesota police officer who knelt on George Floyd’s neck for over nine minutes had nothing to do with Floyd’s death. (Jackson and Tkacik, 4/27)