The Kansas House today (WED) gave first-round approval to sweeping abortion legislation. One bill would require parental consent for a girl under 18 to get an abortion. Current law only requires parents be notified. In many cases, the bill would require the consent of both parents. Representative Geraldine Flaharty, a Wichita Democrat, opposed that provision. She says getting the consent of both parents might be impossible in an abusive household.
The legislation would also require doctors to give a specific medical reason for a late-term abortion. House members also passed legislation that would bar late term abortions after the 22nd week of pregnancy, saying that is when a fetus is likely to feel pain. The state currently has other laws restricting late term abortions if the fetus is viable.