Pro-Life Abortion Bill Clears Senate Committee

SB 1722 (Stargel), a Catholic Days priority bill, was heard and debated in the Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, its second of three committees, on Wednesday. The measure requires abortion doctors to have admitting privileges or a transfer agreement with a hospital not more than thirty (30) minutes away by emergency vehicle. In addition, the bill calls for the prohibition of public funding for an organization that owns, operates, or is affiliated with a licensed abortion clinic, with some exceptions. The bill passed ( 5-3), and moves next to its third committee, Senate Fiscal Policy. The House companion measure, HB 1411 (Burton), has passed all committees of reference and been placed on the calendar for the full House.