Abortion would be illegal in Texas under Patrick's bill
04:36 PM CST on Thursday, January 11, 2007
By Terrence Stutz / Dallas Morning News
AUSTIN - Legislation was filed in the Senate on Wednesday that would
make abortions illegal in Texas if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns its
landmark Roe vs. Wade decision.
Should abortion be banned in Texas?
Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, filed the "trigger" abortion bill that
would take effect only if the Legislature first passes the measure and
then the nation's highest court reverses its position on abortion in a
new case.
"Many of us on the pro-life side and even those on the pro-choice side
believe it is a matter of time before Roe vs. Wade is overturned," said
Patrick, a conservative radio talk-show host who was sworn into office
as a state senator Tuesday.
"I want to have a law on the books in Texas that clearly says if Roe
vs. Wade is overturned, there will be no abortions in Texas."
A companion bill has already been filed in the House by Rep. Warren
Chisum, R-Pampa.
A representative for NARAL Pro-Choice Texas said Wednesday that
lawmakers should focus on prevention of unwanted pregnancies rather
making abortions illegal and dangerous for women who will still seek
them.
While Texas had an anti-abortion law before the Supreme Court ruled
such laws unconstitutional in 1973, Patrick said there is some dispute
about whether that law would go into effect if Roe vs. Wade were
reversed. He noted that Texas has passed parental notification and
parental consent laws in recent years that imply a woman's right to an
abortion.
"Without a trigger bill, there would be a fight over whether we are a
pro-life or a pro-choice state," he said. "Some might view us as a
pro-choice state because we have laws for parental notification and
parental consent where if you get a parent's approval, you can have an
abortion."
Asked about the chances for passing such a measure in the Legislature,
Patrick pointed to recent approval of a trigger abortion bill in
Louisiana.
"Louisiana is a state full of Democrats and Republicans with a
Democratic governor, and they passed it unanimously," he said.
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