The Kansas state House has approved an amendment to a budget bill that would strengthen the enforcement of late-term abortion laws there.
The legislation includes a provision that allows policy makers to know the exact diagnosis of women who get a late-term abortion.
That’s important because the state law prohibits most late-term abortions and allows them only in very exceptional medical circumstances.
Wichita-based late-term abortionist [Tiller] was charged with doing numerous illegal late-term abortions for dubious mental health concerns, but Kansas courts threw out the charges in a politicized manner.
Rep. Lance Kinzer [Olathe-R], was behind the amendments [LifeNews.com].
“I brought this legislation forward after becoming concerned the legislature was not getting sufficient information to understand the real cause of late-term abortions in Kansas,” Rep. Kinzer said.
“It is my hope that with clearer reporting, the legislature will be able to implement public policy to address those causes and reduce the need of late-term abortions.”
The House voted for the amendment on a 77-47 vote and added it to the House Substitute for SB 357, which is a state spending bill.
Kinzer’s amendment also directs the Kansas Board of Healing Arts to affirm that the referring physician required by state law for late-term abortions is not legally or financially affiliated with the person doing the abortion.
“Currently it is difficult to determine whether our existing laws are being followed because of the lack of information available to the legislature. We need to make sure all our laws are being adhered to,” he said.
It also prohibits three state agencies from spending any funds unless they provide the legislature more information about abortion practitioners and late-term abortions.
Under the provision the state Department of Health and Environment would need to revise its forms to gather additional information about the late-term abortions, the medical condition of the women having them, and a second diagnosis from a doctor that the abortion is medically necessary.
Meanwhile, the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services would be required to disclose information concerning crimes against minors.
That’s important because pro-life advocates are concerned that abortion businesses are not reporting cases of abortions done on minors who are victims of sexual abuse or statutory rape.
Related: Kansans for Life – http://www.kfl.org
[27April2007, Ertelt, LifeNews.com, Topeka]