Virginia Senate Committee Kills Pro-Life Bills Protecting Women From Abortions

State   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Mar 4, 2010   |   9:00AM   |   WASHINGTON, DC

Virginia Senate Committee Kills Pro-Life Bills Protecting Women From Abortions

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
March 4
, 2010

Richmond, VA (LifeNews.com) — A Virginia state Senate committee killed pro-life bills that would have protected women from abortions and held abortion centers to same standards as legitimate medical facilities. The Senate Education and Health Committee on Thursday rejected the pro-life bills as it has so many others in the past.

Delegate Bob Marshall, a Republican, sponsored HB 334 that would require updating the state’s informed consent law to include information that has been published in a peer reviewed medical journal about the consequences of abortion on future pregnancies.

The measure had the support of the Family Foundation and its president, Victoria Cobb, told LifeNews.com about the need for the bill.

"Ironically, Planned Parenthood, which has accused pregnancy resource centers of disseminating information that is not ‘medically accurate,’ is opposed to this bill that requires the information given to women at Virginia’s abortion centers to be exactly that – medically accurate," she said.

Another bill, HB 1042, would have required abortion centers to perform an ultrasound to better determine the gestational age of the unborn child prior to an abortion, and offer the woman seeking the abortion the opportunity to view the ultrasound.

"It would bring Virginia’s Informed Consent law in line with modern medical technology," Cobb said.

And a third bill, HB 393, would require Virginia’s abortion centers to have on site life saving equipment, as well as require licensing and regular inspection. Currently, Virginia’s abortion centers are unregulated and uninspected.

Cobb said before the votes she would not be surprised if the panel killed the legislation.

"If you are familiar at all with the Virginia General Assembly then you are aware just how antagonistic the majority of the Ed and Health committee usually is toward even the most reasonable pro-life legislation. On an annual basis we see pro-life bills die on what we have begun to call ‘Black Thursday,’" she said.

But, she said the votes are important to determine where legislators stand when they run for higher office and for educational purposes.

"These bills offer us the opportunity to educate both legislators and the public on these important issues. They give you the opportunity to discuss controversial issues with friends and neighbors by talking about reasonable measures often supported by large majorities," she said.

"Each time we present these bills to a committee we are able to reach more people with the message of the importance of protecting both the unborn and women who face a crisis pregnancy. You never know when a legislator is going to hear an argument that is going to change their opinion of a certain piece of legislation," Cobb added.

The votes are also helpful for future elections and trying to support pro-life candidates.

"Next year, when these Senators are up for reelection, the voters in their districts will know exactly where they stand on these issues because they will have a four-year voting record to look at. Voters will then be able to hold them accountable for their votes," she said.

Related web sites:
Family Foundation – https://www.familyfoundationblog.com

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