States Advance Abortion Legislation
In Arizona, legislation was signed into law to outlaw sex- or race-based abortions. In Kansas, a "fetal pain" measure has been sent to the governor for his signature.
The Arizona Republic: Arizona Outlaws Abortions Based On Race, Sex
Arizona is the first state in the nation to make sex- or race-selection abortions a crime. Gov. Jan Brewer on Tuesday signed into law House Bill 2443, which makes it a felony for a doctor to perform an abortion based on the sex or race of the fetus. Opponents of the measure have questioned whether such a practice was really occurring. Republican supporters had said that statistics show a high percentage of abortions are being sought by minority women and that abortion clinics intentionally locate in minority areas (Rough, 3/30).
McClatchy/The Wichita Eagle: Kansas 'Fetal Pain' Abortion Bill Goes To Gov. Brownback
A bill to strictly limit abortions after 22 weeks based on disputed research that fetuses can feel pain is on its way to Gov. Sam Brownback, who has indicated he will sign it into law. A second bill to require consent of both parents for minors to get an abortion and to require doctors to provide the state with more detailed records for abortions also is headed to the governor (Fertig, 3/30).
