Kan., Ariz. Governors Sign Antiabortion Legislation

April 13, 2011 — Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback (R) on Tuesday signed a bill (HB 2035) that requires a doctor to obtain parental consent before providing abortion services to minors, AP/Wichita Eagle reports. Under the new law, doctors will have to gain consent from both of a minor's parents in a written, notarized statement. If a minor's parents are not married the law requires consent from one parent or guardian. Twenty-four other states have parental involvement laws, though Mississippi and North Dakota are the only others that require consent from both parents. The measure allows a minor to seek court approval if she cannot obtain parental consent. The law also allows pregnant women or their families to file lawsuits against physicians who perform illegal abortions.

Brownback on Friday signed a bill (HB 2218) that bans abortion after 21 weeks. The measure would change current law to remove an exception for mental or emotional reasons, but retains exceptions when the woman's life is in jeopardy or other major bodily functions are at risk. Both of the new laws will take effect on July 1.

A third antiabortion bill (SB 36) is expected to reach Brownback's desk after legislators return from their spring break. That bill would require annual, unannounced state inspections of clinics providing abortion care (Hanna, AP/Wichita Eagle, 4/12).

"We are disappointed the Kansas Legislature and Gov. Brownback are putting the health and safety of Kansas women and families at risk for purposes of political posturing," Peter Brownlie, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri, said in a press release, adding, "Neither bill does anything to reduce the number of abortions in Kansas" (Murphy, Reuters, 4/12).

Ariz. Governor Signs Bill To Restrict Donations to Planned Parenthood, Abortion Training

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R) on Tuesday signed a bill (HB 2384) that prohibits the use of state income tax credit for charitable contributions for donations to Planned Parenthood of Arizona, the AP/Greenfield Reporter (AP/Greenfield Reporter, 4/12). Under the law, donors to charitable organizations can only get a tax credit for their donation if the charity has provided a statement to the Department of Revenue that they do not provide, fund, promote or provide referrals for abortions, and do not fund any entity that does. The bill also forbids the use of any state or federal funds, as well as tuition and fees, to train medical professionals to provide abortion services (Beard Rau, Arizona Republic, 4/12).