New Nebraska law requires abortionists to evaluate risks for mother

Lincoln, Neb., Apr 13, 2010 / 22:32 pm

Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman has signed a bill into law that will require a physician to conduct a risk evaluation before performing an abortion on a woman to determine physical, psychological and other forms of risks for the mother.

Bill LB594, was introduced by Sen. Cap Dierks, a non-partisan legislator from Ewing. Passed on April 12 by a 40 to 9 vote, it requires abortion providers to evaluate the risk factors for patients at least one hour before the abortion.

According to the Nebraska Unicameral Update, risks can include physical, psychological, emotional, demographic and situational factors. Doctors are required to discuss the risks with the patient based on research from peer-reviewed journals. Violations entitle the patient to a civil legal action.

Pro-life advocates praised the bill.

"We've worked on this bill for quite a long time so we're excited to see it pass," Ann Marie Bowen, President of Nebraskans United for Life said, according to KPTM.

"This is what we need to do until we can eradicate abortion altogether by abortionists who care less about their patients' trauma."

Planned Parenthood spokeswoman Julie Stauch claimed the bill created barriers to women and was “ideologically driven,” while the organization's Chief Operations Officer Penny Dickey claimed the legislation was “cumbersome” and “confusing.”

Governor Dave Heineman signed the risk factor evaluation bill and the Abortion Pain Prevention Act, which bars abortions at 20 weeks, on Tuesday afternoon.