3 bills restricting abortion proposed in Maine

[cali]

Augusta - The debate over abortion once again took center stage in Augusta. People from both sides of the abortion debate packed the 4th floor of the state house as public hearings began on three bills that would put new restrictions on abortions in Maine.

Republican Tyler Clark of Easton is the sponsor of LD 116 which would require a 24 hour waiting period before a woman could have an abortion. "A simple night's sleep on such an important decision is not too much to ask," Representative Clark told the Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.

Clark says he's not trying to make it more difficult for women to have the procedure. He just wants them to think the matter through. Opponents of the bill, , like Ruth L. Lockhart, Executive Director of the Mable Wadsworth Women's Health Center in Bangor, say there's already plenty of time for women to think about it. they call the bill unnecessary. "It's a matter of not fixing something that's not broken," Lockhart says.

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A second bill would require a doctor to notify a woman about all of the risks associated with the procedure and the risks of child birth. In addition, the doctor would have to provide other information to abortion patients including scientific information about the fetus and a description of the procedure that will be performed. The sponsor of that bill, Republican Representative Elanor Espling New Gloucester, also addressed the Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. "The purpose of this bill is to ensure that women are given as much information as possible in making a truly informed decision about abortion." After presenting the bill to lawmakers Espling faced questions from the committee.
at bill to the committee.

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http://www.wabi.tv/news/19911/three-new-bills-spark-abortion-debate-in-augusta