(TOPEKA, Kan.)—
Lawmakers discussed a series of bills on abortion Thursday in Topeka.The bills would allow husbands or parents of minors to sue if they believe an abortion was illegal, would restrict abortion at twenty two weeks, when some say a fetus can feel pain and would make doctors and abortion facilities subject to more frequent and detailed reporting requirements.
Supporters of the bill say the changes are essential to protect life at all stages.
"Legislation that protects the life of the unborn grounds the way we legislate everything else. The right to life is imperative," says Kathy Ostrowski of Kansans for Life.
Opponents say the proposed laws unnecessarily invade the lives of women who are facing difficult decisions at late stages of their pregnancy.
"The fetal pain bill, so called fetal pain bill, is especially troubling to me because the women that seek these later term abortions don't do so on a whim," says Kari Ann Rinker of the National Organization For Women.
Debate on the abortion bills continues Friday where the final vote is expected to be close in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
