Arizona State Senate Approves Pro-Life Abortion Information Bill
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
February 20, 2004
Phoenix, AZ (LifeNews.com) — In what pro-life groups are calling a "huge victory," members of the Arizona state Senate approved pro-life legislation that would require abortion practitioners to make certain information about abortion known to women considering having the lifechanging procedure.
Under the legislation, it would be a crime to not provide women with a state-produced brochure that details abortion’s risks and dangers as well as alternatives to abortion and information regarding fetal development.
Similar laws in other states have proven to be the most effective legislation in reducing the number of abortions and protecting women.
"We are very pleased to see strong bipartisan support for the woman’s right to know bill. Republicans and Democrats alike know this bill is direly needed," Arizona Right to Life’s Shane Wikfors told LIfeNews.com.
Wikfors said the bill was both pro-woman and pro-life. "Arizona women deserve to know the truth against a business that has long been in the practice of exploiting them," he said.
The state House was expected vote on virtually identical legislation, but the vote was delayed. However, pro-life lawmakers say they have enough votes to pass the bill.
The legislation will likely get final approval from the legislation and head to pro-abortion Gov. Janet Napolitano.
Napolitano hasn’t said whether she will sign or veto the bill, but pro-life advocates are ready to bombard her office will calls, letters, and faxes urging her to approve the legislation.
"We are planning, however, an all out blitz of e-mails and phone calls to the Governor between the time of final House passage and the bill actually landing on the Governor’s desk," Cathi Herrod, of the Center for Arizona Policy, told LifeNews.com.
Wikfors said his group will also urge Arizona residents to contact Napolitano.
"We intend to aim this bill straight at the governor. She needs to know that we are dead serious when it comes to protecting women as consumers," Wikfors said.
ACTION: See how your state Senator voted and make your views about their vote known. Go to https://www.azleg.state.az.us/legtext/46leg/2r/bills/sb1077.sthird.1.asp.
Related web sites:
Center for Arizona Policy – https://www.azpolicy.org
Arizona Right to Life – https://www.azrtl.org
