Kansas House Gives Final Approval to Abortion Limits by Veto-Proof Majority

State   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Mar 18, 2008   |   9:00AM   |   WASHINGTON, DC

Kansas House Gives Final Approval to Abortion Limits by Veto-Proof Majority Email this article
Printer friendly page

RSS Newsfeed

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
March 18
, 2008

Topeka, KS (LifeNews.com) — The Kansas House has given final approval to a bill with several components to limit abortions by a veto-proof majority — important given the pro-abortion stance of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. Lawmakers approved the pro-life measure on a strong 84 to 40 vote, with one pro-life legislator absent from the proceedings.

"The Kansas House of Representatives voted today by a veto-proof margin to protect Kansas women over Kansas abortionists, and for that we are very grateful," Kansans for Life director Mary Kay Culp told LifeNews.com shortly after the vote.

Culp said the bill is "so reasonable" that, if it also passes the Senate by a veto-proof margin, Sebelius "may have a hard time vetoing it."

"But, given her ties to bill opponent, late-term abortionist George Tiller, it could certainly happen," Culp added.

The legislation would provide for better enforcement of the late-term abortion laws there and reduce teen abortions.

The measure covers 17 areas of abortion law meant to limit the number of abortions, give women more information and protect parental rights.

Rep. Lance Kinzer is the prime sponsor of the bill that the House approved on a voice vote on Monday.

Kansas has been a hotbed of controversy with a Planned Parenthood center and a late-term abortion practitioner charged with violating the laws, and state officials accused of not holding them accountable.

The measure includes the Teen Protection Act, which the Kansas House approved in 2006 on a bipartisan vote. It goes after people who sexually abuse teenagers and take them for abortions to cover up their crimes.
As a result, the bill makes judges in parental notice bypass hearings become mandatory abuse reporters.

The measure also requires abortion businesses to check IDs of minors and companions, report child sexual abuse to state officials, report incest to law enforcement, and notify the custodial parent of a pregnant minor’s intended abortion.

Kinzer’s bill also includes a provision requiring abortion practitioners to allow women an opportunity to see an ultrasound of their unborn child — something frequently left out of pre-abortion counseling sessions.

"A very good and limited late-term abortion law in the state of Kansas is not being followed and enforced," Kinzer said at a press conference in January when he unveiled the bill.

Related web sites:
Kansans for Life – https://www.kfl.org
Kansas legislature – https://www.kslegislature.org