Florida Governor Vetoes Parental Notification Bill

TALLAHASSEE—Florida Gov. Lawton Chiles vetoed a bill June 12 that would have required the parental notification of any minor girl seeking an abortion.

Laws requiring parental involvement prior to an abortion may be performed on a minor have been enacted in 31 states. Studies have shown that in states where parental involvement laws are in effect, teen pregnancy rates drop dramatically.

Lynda Bell, president of Florida Right to Life, said children change their behavior when they know their parents will be involved.

By vetoing the measure, Chiles, in effect, believes that a minor girl is mature enough to determine whether an abortionist is giving her the best advice concerning her pregnancy, Bell said. Florida Right to Life believes that advice is better coming from those who know her best — her parents.

Judge Blocks West Virginia ‘Partial-Birth’ Ban

CHARLESTOWN—West Virginia's partial-birth abortion ban, scheduled to take effect June 12, was blocked by a federal judge.

U.S. District Judge Joseph Goodwin placed a 10-day restraining order on the ban following a lawsuit filed June 8 by three West Virginia abortion practitioners. Goodwin said the “plaintiffs will likely prevail at trial.” West Virginia county prosecutors and Republican Gov. Cecil Underwood are named as defendants.

Goodwin was expected to extend the restraining order until after full hearing on the lawsuit, scheduled for July 9.

Michigan Senate Approves Feticide Bills

LANSING—The Michigan Senate June 10 gave final approval to legislation to protect the rights of pregnant women whose unborn children are injured or killed due to assault. The two bills creating civil and criminal penalties for assaulting pregnant women and injuring or killing her unborn child passed 36-1 and 31-4 and were sent to Republican Gov. John Engler for signature.

Under the measures, a person who assaults a pregnant woman intending to cause miscarriage or stillbirth would be guilty of a felony punishable by up to life in prison. A person who intentionally or negligently injured the fetus by assaulting the mother could be charged with a misdemeanor.