The Kansas Legislature has advanced 2 new abortion restriction measures that are now headed to Governor Brownback’s desk. The “Anti-Choice Omnibus Bill” (HB2253) includes a declaration that life begins “at fertilization,” forces doctors to give women false information regarding an abortion-breast cancer link, prohibits employees or volunteers of abortion providers from teaching sexuality education in schools, bans sex-selection abortions, and prohibits women from claiming medical expenses related to the performance of an abortion on their state income taxes.
The “Let Doctors Lie” bill (SB142) protects physicians who intentionally keep important information regarding serious genetic or congenital abnormalities from patients if they believe this information will lead the patient to obtain an abortion.
News Coverage
"New 'at fertilization' language in Kansas gives some abortion rights advocates pause", Washington Post, 4/06/2013
"Kansas set to enact life-starts-"at fertilization" abortion law", Reuters, 4/06/2013
"Sweeping anti-abortion bill goes to Kansas gov.", USA Today, 4/06/2013
"Analysis: Kan. abortion foes' win create dilemma", Seattlepi, 4/07/2013
"Petitions delivered urging Brownback to veto anti-abortion me", Lawrence Journal-World, 4/09/2013
"Women's rights groups urge Brownback not to sign abortion bills", Kansas City Star, 4/09/2013
"Coalition seeks Brownback veto of abortion bill", Capital Journal, 4/10/2013
"Kansas No Longer A Place to Call Home?", ACLU Blog of Rights, 4/19/2013