From The State Capitols: Ohio Law Would Require Women Be Informed Of Abortion ‘Reversal’ Treatment; Georgia Bans Shackling Of Pregnant Prisoners
Health care news from state legislatures comes from Ohio, Georgia, Maryland, California, Iowa and Minnesota.
Cincinnati Enquirer:
Ohio Lawmakers Want Women To Know About Abortion 'Reversal.' But The Method Is Unproven.
Republican lawmakers in Ohio want every woman seeking a medical abortion informed that they could reverse that procedure. But the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says abortion-reversal treatments are not based on science and do not meet clinical standards. (Balmert, 5/13)
Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Kemp Signs Law Prohibiting Shackling Of Pregnant Inmates
Gov. Brian Kemp signed House Bill 345 last week banning the practice at county and state jails and prisons. Corrections officials also would be banned from placing women in solitary confinement while pregnant or immediately after giving birth. The law goes into effect Oct. 1. (Prabhu, 5/13)
The Hill:
Maryland Raises Legal Tobacco Purchasing Age To 21
The legal age to buy tobacco and nicotine products in Maryland will be raised from 18 to 21, and the state will add vaping devices to the list of tobacco products, under legislation signed Monday by Gov. Larry Hogan (R). The law was passed in response to an uptick in teen vaping, which federal officials have declared an “epidemic.” The law will take effect in October. (Weixel, 5/13)
The Washington Post:
Maryland Governor OKs Bill Requiring Pelvic Exam Consent
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has signed a measure to require patients to provide explicit consent before health care practitioners and medical students can conduct a pelvic, prostate or rectal exam while the patient is under anesthesia. The measure, which was approved unanimously by the General Assembly, was signed Monday. (Witte, 5/13)
KQED:
Newsom Proposes Expansive New Strategy To Combat Drug Addiction Spike In State Prisons
Gov. Gavin Newsom is pushing for California to spend more than $233 million over the next two years to battle substance abuse in the state's roughly three dozen prisons, an effort to stem the increasing frequency of inmate overdoses in recent years. (Goldberg, 5/13)
Texas Tribune:
Texas Considers Bill That Allows Sexual Abuse Survivors To Sue Entities
House Bill 3809, spearheaded by state Rep. Craig Goldman, R-Fort Worth, originally would have allowed people to sue abusers or entities over certain types of abuse 30 years after they turn 18. But Goldman later carved out institutions that may be culpable in some way from the measure, telling The Houston Chronicle that “sexual assault is not something organizations do, it’s what individuals do.” (Pollock, 5/13)
Texas Tribune:
Texas Senate Revives Religious Liberty Bill Defeat LGBTQ Caucus Killed In The House
As filed, the Senate bill prevents the government from taking “adverse action” against individuals for acting in accordance with their own “sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction, including beliefs or convictions regarding marriage.” Advocates fear that would embolden businesses to decline service to members of the LGBTQ community. (Platoff, 5/13)
Iowa Public Radio:
Trans Iowans On Public Health Insurance Fear Impact Of Budget Change
Last minute changes to the state health and human services budget have raised concern for members of Iowa’s LGBTQ community and organizations that provide sex education services as well as abortions. On this episode of River to River, a look at two changes to the budget, both of which have been signed into law by Governor Reynolds. (Harrop and Kieffer, 5/13)
Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Medical Marijuana Companies Lobbied For New Georgia Law
Even before Georgia lawmakers approved medical marijuana sales this year, the industry was angling to set up shop. Marijuana companies hired well-connected lobbyists and gave campaign contributions this year to help smooth passage of a bill that allows the drug’s cultivation and distribution. (Niesse, 5/13)
The Associated Press:
Minnesota Senator Opens Up About Her Bouts Of Depression
Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota is sharing her experiences with depression for the first time as she calls for more federal funding for mental health programs. The Democrat said she battled depression as a teenager and again in her late 30s, the Star Tribune reported. "It just sort of feels like all the colors in the world start to fade out," Smith said. "The things that gave you a lot of joy, there's nothing there anymore." (5/13)
