AUGUSTA, Maine - Advocates for women's issues are calling on the Maine Legislature's Judiciary Committee to oppose two abortion-related bills.
One bill, LD 83, would require a teen to get parental consent to receive an abortion. Judy Karhl, of Grandmothers for Reproductive Rights, says while a majority of Maine teens do discuss abortion with their parents, it's not an option for everyone.
"Unfortunately, not all families are ideal," Karhl said. "Not all young and minors have families that support them."
Another bill, LD 1312, would require more oversight of abortion clinics. Critics fear the measure could lead to restrictive regulations that would inhibit access. Ruth Lockhard of Mabel Wadsworth Women's Health Center says sponsors of the bill are presenting it as a safety measure, but she says that's not their real intent.
"Instead they are more focused on pushing restrictions designed to make it hard to access safe and legal abortion," Lockhard said.
Legislation in Texas that tightened oversight of abortion clinics ultimately closed the majority of clinics in the state. The sponsor of the Maine bill, Republican Rep. Deb Sanderson, says her bill is modeled after one in Maryland that garnered support from those on both sides of the abortion debate.
The Legislature's Judiciary Committee is considering both bills this afternoon.
