Firestorm Over Oklahoma Abortion Information Law Set To Continue

December 28, 2009
by Personal Liberty News Desk

Firestorm over Oklahoma abortion information law set to continueAn Oklahoma district judge put off until Feb. 19 any decision about an anti-abortion law that would require doctors to submit information about women who have the procedure in the state. That information would then be published—with names omitted—on the website of the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

The law includes more than 30 questions a woman seeking an abortion would have to answer, including details about whether she is having relationship problems or whether she can’t afford a child. Some critics have said it is "like undressing a woman in public, exposing their most personal issues on the internet," quoted by ABC News.

"This law is a profound intrusion on women’s privacy and a waste of taxpayers’ money," said Jennifer Mondino, staff attorney at the Center for Reproductive Rights, which is challenging the law, quoted by National Public Radio (NPR).

"Women in Oklahoma should not have to jump through hoops to access legal medical care and the government has no business violating the state constitution to impose those obstacles," she added.

However, supporters of the proposed legislation, such as State Senator Todd Lamb, say it is not designed to embarrass anybody but to help make improvements to public policy in order to prevent unwanted pregnancies.

The law was to have taken effect Nov. 1, but the restraining order will block it until a lawsuit seeking to throw it out is resolved.

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