Misnamed the “Women’s Right to Know Act,” it requires that women, before being able to obtain an abortion, wait 24 hours after being provided information about “medical risks of abortion.” They will also be required to view photographs and descriptions of fetal development stages, a listing of adoption agencies, fathers’ responsibilities, and services for women who reject abortion.

The bill originated in the House and passed the Senate May 20 in a bipartisan vote of 21-10. The Senate made one small wording change, requiring the House to vote again May 23. All the bill now requires is Governor Rick Perry’s signature to make it law. Perry supports the bill and is expected to sign it into law.

Nineteen other states have decreed waiting-period restrictions on women seeking to exercise their right to choose an abortion.

Over the years the areas of Texas where abortion services are available have been reduced to 15 of the 254 counties. The new law will make it especially difficult for women workers and farmers to get abortions. Already traveling long distances to an abortion provider, women may now have to take an extra day off work and make other arrangements such as child care for the day or two that will now be involved in having an abortion. In 1999, the state passed legislation requiring teenage girls to notify their parents before terminating a pregnancy.

Kae McLaughlin, executive director of the Texas Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League, told the press, “This is not a bill that is brought to us by people who are concerned about women’s health. This is a bill that is brought to us by people who would ban abortion entirely if it were possible here in Texas.” She said the waiting period will hurt women in the state who have to travel far from home to abortion facilities.

The “medical information” doctors would be required to give includes the assertion of a supposed link between abortions and breast cancer that has been disputed by both the American Cancer Society and the American Medical Association.

The law also requires women receiving abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy to have the procedure done at a qualified hospital or other ambulatory surgical center, but not at regular abortion clinics. There are only a handful of facilities in Texas that meet the requirements to qualify under the law.

Passage of the bill was delayed temporarily by a debate over pregnancy from incest and rape. A clause was included that enables doctors to give information about emergency contraception to such women, while still requiring them to submit to the 24 hour procedures if they choose abortion. A doctor who fails to offer the material could be fined $10,000.

Legislation has already passed the state senate giving legal status to the fetus.  
 
 
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