Advocates Respond to Senator Green’s Request to Expand Special Session Call;

Local Leaders Call on Governor to Prioritize Women’s Health Care

For Immediate Release
April 18, 2008

Contact:

ANCHORAGE – In response to Senator Lyda Green’s request to Governor Palin to expand the call for the upcoming special session on a gasline project to include failed anti-choice legislation, leaders of three statewide organizations call on legislators to uphold the constitution and prioritize women’s health.

Senator Lyda Green made a formal request to add two pieces of legislation to the special session, House Bill 364 (parental notice and consent) and House Bill 301 (partial birth abortion). Both of these bills were heard in committee during the regular legislative session and, like many other pieces of legislation did not make it through the legislative process.

HB 364 is a response to the Alaska Supreme Court decision that struck down the Parental Consent Act that was passed in 1997. The Alaska Supreme Court found that the law (similar to the current HB 364) violated the girl’s right to privacy and that the law placed an undue burden on the young woman therefore interfering with her access to health care.

“Parental support is important for any teen facing tough sexual health issues, but we cannot legislate good parenting. The reality is that most, more than 95% of teens, involve their parents when deciding whether or not to have an abortion,” says Clover Simon, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Alaska.

HB301 would ban a rarely used late term abortion procedure in Alaska. Although the language in HB301 closely tracks a federal ban upheld by the US Supreme Court,the Alaska Supreme Court has held that the right to privacy in the Alaska Constitution is stronger than the federal right. In March of 1998, the Alaska State Superior court found the newly enacted “partial birth abortion” ban in violation of the Alaska Constitution. HB 301 violates a woman’s fundamental right to an abortion and her right to privacy under the Alaska Constitution.

“Abortion bans are deceptive and unconstitutional attempts to prohibit abortions and dangerously interfere with the very private doctor-patient relationship. This law would ban abortions that doctors say are both safe and among the best ways to protect women's health,” stated Jeffrey Mittman, Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska.

“If we’re expanding the call to include other priority legislation, I know there were many Alaskans disappointed that legislation authorizing a modest increase in the income limits for Denali Kid Care did not pass. This legislation should be at the top of the list,” stated Geran Tarr, Director of the Alliance for Reproductive Justice. “If the legislature uses the entire thirty day special session, the session will cost more than the Denali Kid Care legislation.”

###

back to press releases