Alabama’s informed consent law (SB 333) went into effect yesterday, mandating that all women seeking an abortion meet with a health care professional 24-hours prior to the procedure. The state law originally required distribution of state-developed brochures covering information about fetal development, abortion risks, and alternatives to abortion. However, in September, the Center for Reproductive Law and Policy (CRLP)—representing six state health clinics and two physicians—requested an injunction, charging that the printed materials “contained numerous inaccuracies and misleading information” unchecked by the Alabama Department of Public Health. US District Judge Harold Albritton stipulated that the Department of Public Health be prohibited from disseminating the materials until he assesses their accuracy. Meanwhile, women must receive information that is “truthful and not misleading.” Only women carrying unviable fetuses are exempt from the new law.
CRLP attorneys argue that the waiting period is unduly burdensome, particularly for women in areas where access to clinics is already difficult. A September press release stated, “Women may have to take additional time off from work, arrange childcare, or even remain away from home overnight or pay for another round trip to the clinic.” The law is especially damaging to women seeking abortions who are victims of rape or incest as information on alimony requirements and adoption services are also required.
According to the Center for Reproductive Law and Policy, 23 states mandate waiting periods for abortions.
Media Resources: Kaisernetwork.org 10/15/02; CRLP 9/24/02, 9/2002; Associated Press 10/15/02
5/20/2013 Afghan Violence Against Women Law Blocked in Parliament - On Saturday, the Speaker of the Lower House of Afghan Parliament delayed a vote on the Elimination of Violence against Women law after two hours of vociferous debate between conservative religious and more liberal members of Parliament. . . .
5/20/2013 Walmart, American Retailers Refuse to Join Bangladesh Accord - Walmart, along with 13 other major North American companies, refused to sign a legally binding agreement to improve working conditions for overseas factory workers that manufacture their clothes after a garment factory collapsed in Bangladesh killing an estimated 1300 workers, the New York Times reports.
The agreement requires retailers pay $500,000 to improve worker safety measures over a five year period. . . .
