H
HagiaSophia
Guest
PIERRE, S.D. – National opponents of abortion rights gained another possible foothold yesterday with a new state law in South Dakota that requires doctors, before performing abortions, to have their patients sign a statement acknowledging that they are terminating the life of ''a whole, separate, unique, living human being."
The statement tells a woman that she has ''an existing relationship with that unborn human being" and the relationship is protected under the US Constitution and the laws of South Dakota.
Supporters of the bill say that in essence, women would have to waive their parental rights before receiving an abortion, similar in concept to when parents appear before a judge to give up legal custody of a child.
''It is extremely important that we recognize this relationship exists," said state Representative Roger Hunt, a Republican and the prime sponsor of the bill.
If an abortion is performed without the woman having signed the waiver, the doctor would face misdemeanor charges that carry penalties of up to 30 days in jail or a $200 fine.
Women must also be told of the mental and physical health risks of abortion. If a woman has questions, the doctor must answer them in writing, and the answers become part of the patient’s medical records.
State Representative Tom Van Norman, a Democrat who opposes the change, contended that because of the citing of constitutional rights, women would need to have an attorney present when signing such a waiver. Van Norman, who is a lawyer, added that county and state governments would need to provide attorneys, at public expense, to women who could not afford legal counsel.
boston.com/news/nation/articles/2005/03/18/s_dakota_to_require_waivers_be_signed_before_abortions/
The statement tells a woman that she has ''an existing relationship with that unborn human being" and the relationship is protected under the US Constitution and the laws of South Dakota.
Supporters of the bill say that in essence, women would have to waive their parental rights before receiving an abortion, similar in concept to when parents appear before a judge to give up legal custody of a child.
''It is extremely important that we recognize this relationship exists," said state Representative Roger Hunt, a Republican and the prime sponsor of the bill.
If an abortion is performed without the woman having signed the waiver, the doctor would face misdemeanor charges that carry penalties of up to 30 days in jail or a $200 fine.
Women must also be told of the mental and physical health risks of abortion. If a woman has questions, the doctor must answer them in writing, and the answers become part of the patient’s medical records.
State Representative Tom Van Norman, a Democrat who opposes the change, contended that because of the citing of constitutional rights, women would need to have an attorney present when signing such a waiver. Van Norman, who is a lawyer, added that county and state governments would need to provide attorneys, at public expense, to women who could not afford legal counsel.
boston.com/news/nation/articles/2005/03/18/s_dakota_to_require_waivers_be_signed_before_abortions/
Ten years ago, it wouldn’t have even stood a chance of passing.