Mississippi House members on Thursday signed off on a bill most indicated they didn't fully understand that could further discourage abortions and possibly put the state in conflict with federal privacy laws.
House Bill 520 originally penalized people for falsely reporting child abuse. But the Senate made eight pages of changes, adding language that among other things says a parent or guardian can sue whoever helps a teen get an abortion without parental consent.
Anti-abortion activists said the amended bill would protect minors from sexual predators and help prosecute offenders.
Abortion-rights groups warned the bill would discourage pregnant teens from seeking medical attention and cause the state's infant mortality rate to rise.
The measure is headed to Gov. Haley Barbour's desk unless legislators decide to debate it further or a key House leader allows it to die.
Many House members indicated Thursday they had not had a chance to review the amended bill. Even the lawmakers who urged support said they had not read the amendment, proposed by Sen. Alan Nunnelee.
Under the amended bill, many child-care professionals, law-enforcement officials, health-care practitioners and educators would face misdemeanor penalties for failing to report alleged or suspected sexual abuse of children. Lawmakers disagreed on whether the bill stipulates that clergy would face the same punishment. It says that clergy "shall encourage" the reporting of abuse.
The measure also mandates that some fetal tissue be preserved from abortions performed on girls younger than 14, so the father could be determined through DNA testing.
Some lawmakers worried about the ramifications of the bill. They said it may violate federal privacy laws that protect patients and could criminalize people who counsel girls considering abortion.
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http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080328/NEWS010504/803280355/1002
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