OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER
ALABAMA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36130
For Immediate Release
January 25, 2012
LEGISLATION WILL PROTECT WOMEN BY INCREASING STANDARDS ON ABORTION CLINICS
MONTGOMERY– Today, Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard (R-Auburn) announced State. Rep. Mary Sue McClurkin (R-Indian Springs) as sponsor of the Women’s Health and Safety Act, or House Bill 57.
“Rep. McClurkin has consistently been a strong advocate for children and women during her tenure in the legislature,” stated Speaker Hubbard. “Her tireless efforts to protect the right to life make her a perfect sponsor for this bill.”
The bill was pre-filed today as part of the House Republican Caucus’ 2013 Legislative Agenda, “We Dare Defend Our Rights.” The bill serves as the centerpiece bill of the “We Dare Defend Our Right to Life” section of the agenda.
“Abortions are, sadly, legal in this country. Given this unfortunate truth, common sense should tell us that an abortion clinic should be held to the same high standards as any medical office that practices invasive procedures,” McClurkin said. “We must ensure that dangerous, unregulated, fly-by-night clinics will be shut down because, sadly, the state of Alabama has more health regulations in place to protect your cat or dog at a vet clinic.”
Statistics show that abortion centers, on average, operate at an alarming level of non-compliance with acceptable standards of medical care, putting abortion patients at unreasonable risk.
Consequently, Alabama is in dire need of a comprehensive set of statutory standards that ensure women are treated in a safe environment that is able to respond to medical emergencies often associated with invasive medical procedures.
The Women’s Health and Safety Act would require abortion clinics to meet the same standards as emergency health care centers and would place stronger requirements on doctors who perform the procedures.
The legislation also provides strong enforcement mechanisms against abortion clinics unable or unwilling to meet the reasonable and medically appropriate health and safety standards set for these facilities.
The House Republican Caucus recently announced a legislative agenda based upon the state motto – “We Dare Defend Our Rights” – and intended to preserve the conservative beliefs and values that Alabamians hold dear. The bills in the agenda, including McClurkin’s measure, will be among the first considered and passed by the Alabama House once the 2013 regular session convenes on February 5.
For additional information on the Women’s Health and Safety Act please visit: www.alhousegop.com/
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