AUGUSTA, Maine — Two bills brought by Republican lawmakers seeking to amend Maine abortion laws have garnered scrutiny from pro-choice activists, who fear the legislation, if enacted, would restrict access to abortions.
The first bill — LD 83, sponsored by Sen. Paul Davis, R-Sangerville — would allow only the written consent of a parent, or in some scenarios a probate or district court judge, to let a pregnant minor receive an abortion.
To receive an abortion under current Maine law, a pregnant minor can provide written consent from a parent or judge, or prove she has received certified counseling from a psychiatrist, clergy member, social worker, medical professional or other allowed counselor.
In an interview, Davis said he was unaware of the current law, and that his only goal was the preservation of the family.
“The disintegration of the family is one of the biggest problems we have in this country,” he said. “To me, having parents and families come together during an emergency or crisis period in someone’s life is very important.”
Advocates say the bill would create an unnecessary burden for teens who decide to terminate their pregnancies.
“This bill, no matter what its intentions may be, will put some women in unsafe and untenable situations,” said Lynne Holler of South Portland, an architect and mother of a 15-year-old girl.
Holler said that while she’d hope her daughter would come to her if she got pregnant, not all teens would feel safe speaking with a parent.
Pro-choice activists are also closely watching a bill by Rep. Deborah Sanderson, R-Chelsea, that they fear is an attempt to close abortion-providing clinics in Maine. The bill is not yet drafted, but is titled “An Act to Standardize All Medical Facilities that Provide Outpatient Surgical Procedures.”
The American Civil Liberties Union of Maine expressed concern the proposal is modeled after a Texas law that targeted abortion providers with such stringent regulations that existing clinics were forced to close.
Sanderson, however, said her bill is designed to give the state oversight of abortion clinics, such as Planned Parenthood, that she feels is necessary to ensure accountability.
Her bill would require abortion providers to be licensed as “ambulatory surgical facilities.” That would mean state inspections to ensure emergency planning is in place, and an evaluation of the provider’s equipment, medical staff, recordkeeping and surgical practices.
Sanderson said she would specifically exclude abortion clinics from “brick-and-mortar” requirements about surgery room size and hallway widths. Those standards were among those imposed in Texas that caused many providers to close their doors.
“The goal is not to shut them down, but to be able to make sure that women who access these facilities can be assured that it’s safe access,” Sanderson said.
Planned Parenthood of Northern New England spokeswoman Nicole Clegg said the organization could better evaluate the bill after it is drafted, but they would oppose any legislation that singled out regulations for abortion providers, health centers or physicians.
Follow Mario Moretto on Twitter at @riocarmine.
