Legislation of Concern to Mass. Citizens for Life
2009-2010
H 1468 “An Act Relative to Death with Dignity”
Description
Similar to the bill passed in Oregon
Supported by the same group that backed the bill in Oregon
This bill can be defeated
Analysis - Opposed
Most requests for assisted suicide come from patients with untreated depression
This bill would disproportionately affect the elderly, the poor, the disabled and minorities
Death by suicide is not dignified
**H 1745 “An Act Relative to Public Health” **
Description
Title is deceptive
There are good laws currently on the books prohibiting:
“unlawful” abortions,
ads for abortion services / abortifacent drugs,
sale of abortifacients,
requiring that second and third trimester abortion be performed in hospitals
Analysis – Opposed
Current restrictions should not be changed
They are reasonable protections against:
Dangerous drugs
“Do it yourself” abortion kits
Quack abortionists
How does less regulation provide more safety for women?
**H 1746 “An Act Relative to Consent and Counseling for Certain Minors” **
Description
This bill would weaken the parental consent law for a minor girl to obtain an abortion
This bill would allow consent to be given by brothers, sisters, guidance counselors, school personnel, clergy, etc.
Proponents claim current law too narrow as to who can give consent
Analysis – Opposed
Parents and guardians have primary legal and moral responsibility for their children
This bill would allow almost any adult to give consent
Current law provides for a judicial bypass if it is feared parents may be abusive
This bill would enable abusers to cover up their crime
H 3434 “An Act Providing Health Education in Schools”
Description
This bill would require implementation of the MA Health Curriculum Frameworks
The Frameworks include a radical form of sex education
Parents would be replaced by the school with regard to teaching about the sensitive topics of sexuality, contraception and abortion
Students would learn how to get an abortion without parental consent
Analysis – Opposed
Parents morals / values are replaced by those of the state / school
Schools will not be held accountable for the (a)moral climate they create with respect to sexuality
Abusers within the schools would be able to cover-up, provide abortion, birth control
**H 1670 “An Act relative to a Woman’s Right to Know” – Laura’s Law **
Description
Works to inform women of risks of pregnancy and abortion, as well as alternatives
A website, ultrasound and informative materials would be made available on a voluntary basis
H 1670 “An Act relative to a Woman’s Right to Know” – Laura’s Law
Description, Cont.
Data would be factual, non-judgmental, scientific, and medically accurate
Materials would be prepared by MA DPH, distributed in person or via mailing
Materials made available 24 hrs. prior to the abortion
Analysis – Support
An abortion decision is forever
Those with a vested interest in an abortion decision should not control what information is given
With other major “purchases”, consumers are given time to change their mind
Ultrasound technology helps women to choose life
H 2174 “An Act to Promote Healthy Behaviors”
Description
Sets up local tax-funded “family planning” clinics
Includes providing abortion counseling, services
Aimed at adolescents, parents/guardians by providing “science based” health information and education
Analysis – Opposed
Title obscures teen abortion/contraceptive agenda
“Eliminates” the consequences of risky sexual behavior through contraception and abortion, without changing the behavior itself
**H 1443 Fetal Homicide
Description
Applies when a criminal assault on a pregnant woman results in the death or injury of the unborn child
Penalty the same as death or injury to the mother of child
Bill requires no proof of intent on the part of the assailant
Fetal Homicide does not apply to abortion or to legal or illegal acts that a mother commits that affect her unborn child.
Analysis - Support
Legislation designed to acknowledge the humanity of the “child in utero”
Legislation recognizes second victim and treats the injury / death as separate offense
Legislation Summary 2009
The 2009-2010 legislative session is underway and bills have been introduced and given committee assignments. Massachusetts Citizens for Life is very concerned about the six bills listed below which will have important consequences for end of life issues as well as on abortions in our State:
Oppose – H. 1468 - An Assisted suicide bill has been introduced, “An Act Relative to Death with Dignity”. This legislation is similar to the bill that became law in the state of Oregon and is supported by the same group that backed the bill in that state. This is a bill we can defeat!
Oppose – H.1745 "An Act Relative to Public Health". In spite of the fact that abortion is legal in Massachusetts, there are currently good laws on the books that prohibit "unlawful" abortions, advertisement of abortion services and abortifacients, and the sale of abortifacients. The bill would impact regulations relating to second and third trimester abortions which require that they be performed in hospitals.
Oppose – H.1746 "An Act Relative to Consent and Counseling for Certain Minors". This legislation would relax current restrictions requiring a parent or legal guardian's consent before a minor can obtain an abortion. If passed, the legislation would open the floodgates for aunts, brothers, sisters, guidance counselors i.e., just about anyone could provide consent to help young girls get abortions. Abortion proponents maintain that the current statute narrowly defines who can give consent to minor girls who want to procure an abortion.
Oppose – H. 3434 “An Act Providing Health Education in Schools”
This bill would implement the “Health Frameworks Curriculum” and make health education (including sex education) part of the core curriculum in the Commonwealth. If adopted as a requirement it (among a host of others things) would override the role of parents as primary moral educators of their children, allow educators – not parents to teach children about sensitive issues of sexuality, contraception and abortion. Students would learn how to get an abortion without parental involvement.
Support – H.1670 “An Act Relative to a Woman’s Right to Know”/Laura’s Law. This legislation works to inform women of all the possible risks associated with both pregnancy and abortion, along with the alternatives. The bill provides for a website, ultrasound and materials to be made available, on a volunteer basis, to pregnant women considering abortion. The data must be factual, non-judgmental, scientific, medically accurate information to be prepared by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and distributed to women, either through an in-person consultation, or the mailing of materials to a patient. The materials must be made available at least 24 hours prior to the abortion, as the bill calls for a 24 hour reflection period before an abortion is performed.
Oppose – H2174 “An Act to promote Healthy Behaviors” The bill sets up clinics in local communities that would provide family planning (abortions) services using your taxpayer dollars. The clinics are supposedly designed to promote so called “healthy behaviors” among adolescents, parents and/or guardians by providing science based health information and education. This is deceptive word usage of the English language to promote abortion.
A Woman's Right to Know "Laura's Law"
Massachusetts Health Curriculum Frameworks the abortion connection
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