Abortion bill gets committee approval

A House Judiciary committee emerged from an emotional debate on abortion to pass in a 9-5, partyline vote a bill that would add requirements for women seeking abortions and the people providing them.

The bill's supporters said the bill was needed to make sure women are given necessary information before they agree to a life-changing medical procedure.

"This is about making sure that women have what they need to know before they make a very serious decision," said Ruth Samuelson, a Charlotte Republican and the bill's sponsor.

Democrats who opposed the bill called it "a sham," government intrusion into women's lives and health decisions, and an insult to women.

"The women of this state really don't want you messing around in their business," said Rep. Mickey Michaux, a Durham Democrat.

Before the vote, the committee heard from a mix of speakers, doctors, clergy people, and women who have had abortions. Speakers were arranged so each side had about equal time.

The bill would require women wait 24-hours before abortions. In that time, they would be given information on medical risks, danger to subsequent pregnancies, and "any adverse psychological effects associated with abortion." Women must be told about medical assistance benefits available for prenatal care, childbirth, and neonatal care, and that fathers are liable to support the children.

The bill would require women have ultrasounds within 72 hours before abortions.

Abortion-rights supporters described the information that must be imparted as "state propaganda."

But a Fayetteville woman who had four abortions and is now an abortion-rights opponent said she was not given any information, and suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder afterward.

Sylinthia Stewart, 45, said black women are intentionally left uninformed about abortion. She views abortion as black genocide.

"Abortion is a racist act," she said. "I wasn't told the whole truth."