La. House Bill Would Categorize Coercing Minor's Abortion as Abuse
May 3, 2013 — A Louisiana House committee on Wednesday approved a measure (HB 278) that would add coercing a minor into an abortion to a list of acts that constitute child abuse, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
The bill -- proposed by state Rep. Valerie Hodges (R) -- defines coercion as the use of force, intimidation, threat of force or deprivation of food or shelter.
According to the Times-Picayune, the bill would not allow exceptions if the girl's health or life is at risk, except in cases of ectopic pregnancies, but it would allow parents to suggest a daughter obtain an abortion in cases of fetal demise or if she is in the process of miscarrying (Adelson, New Orleans Times-Picayune, 5/1).
The information contained in this publication reflects media coverage of women’s health issues and does not necessarily reflect the views of the National Partnership for Women & Families.
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