Good News from South Dakota
The following information was sent by the South Dakota Pro-Life group, www.VoteYESforLife.com.
"It appears to us (www.VoteYesForLife.com) that abortions were suspended at the Sioux Falls (South Dakota) Planned Parenthood today (Monday 7/21/08). It also appears that they are in disarray as decisions are being made on how to abide by the Informed Consent Law. It is now more important than ever that we pass Measure 11 and halt future abortions in South Dakota. When the opposition reorganizes, they are likely to be stronger than ever. We have to be ready when they resume the business of aborting babies and harming women."
S.D.’S INFORMED CONSENT LAW
“Planned Parenthood’s application to enjoin the Informed Consent Statute following the Alpha Center and South Dakota ’s victory in the US Court of Appeals has FAILED!!! Planned Parenthood must now comply with all of the provisions of the Informed Consent Statute. The matter will be sent down to trial after January 1st. The US Court of Appeals ruled the required disclosure that an abortion will terminate the life of a whole, separate, unique, living human being is accurate and must be told to a woman seeking an abortion. According to Attorney General Larry Long, SD ’s informed consent law will go into effect as early as Saturday, July 19, 2008. Leslee Unruh stated, “In my 24 years of being involved in the pro-life movement, this is the greatest victory. Thank you to the South Dakota legislators, Governor and legal team.””
Provisions of the Informed Consent Statue are listed below.
(1) A statement in writing providing the following information:
(a) The name of the physician who will perform the abortion;
(b) That the abortion will terminate the life of a whole, separate, unique, living human being;
(c) That the pregnant woman has an existing relationship with that unborn human being and that the relationship enjoys protection under the United States Constitution and under the laws of South Dakota;
(d) That by having an abortion, her existing relationship and her existing constitutional rights with regards to that relationship will be terminated;
(e) A description of all known medical risks of the procedure and statistically significant risk factors to which the pregnant woman would be subjected, including:
(i) Depression and related psychological distress;
(ii) Increased risk of suicide ideation and suicide;
(2) A statement by telephone or in person, by the physician who is to perform the abortion, or by the referring physician, or by an agent of both, at least twenty-four hours before the abortion, providing the following information:
(a) That medical assistance benefits may be available for prenatal care, childbirth, and neonatal care;
(b) That the father of the unborn child is legally responsible to provide financial support for her child following birth, and that this legal obligation of the father exists in all instances, even in instances in which the father has offered to pay for the abortion.
