Idaho has joined two other states considering legislation to ban
donations of aborted fetal tissue and close the
donation-for-reimbursement loophole used by Planned Parenthood.
The Idaho Senate State Affairs Committee voted along party lines on
Feb. 19 to introduce the Idaho Unborn Infants Dignity Act, which would
criminalize donating fetal tissue from abortions. It also prohibits
research centers from conducting experiments using aborted fetal tissue,
a ban under consideration in three other states.
Lawmakers introduced the bill after the Center for Medical Progress
exposed Planned Parenthood’s fetal tissue “donation” program. Although
federal law bans the sale of aborted baby body parts, Planned Parenthood
claims it is free to charge collection and processing fees for the
trouble of packaging up tiny hearts, lungs, and livers. Pro-lifers note
there’s little difference between an agreed on donation fee and a sales
price.
Idaho Republicans asked Gov. C. L. “Butch” Otter to investigate the
three Planned Parenthood facilities in Idaho, but he refused, saying no
evidence in Idaho merited the investigation.
While Planned Parenthood in Idaho contends it doesn’t donate fetal
tissue, David Ripley, director of Idaho Chooses Life, told the committee
the bill would do more than ban the practice. He insisted it would
advance Idaho’s state policy to “promote live childhood over abortion.”
“It seeks to ensure that Idaho’s pre-born children are not subject to
desecration after their deaths,” he said. “I think it’s important to
emphasize that this is not, strictly speaking, an abortion bill.”
Hannah Brass Greer, legislative director for Planned Parenthood in
Idaho, acknowledged that other Planned Parenthood affiliates have
donated fetal tissue for reimbursement but said this bill is unnecessary
in Idaho.
“I think it’s definitely a solution in search of a problem that doesn’t exist here and doesn’t exist anywhere,” she said.
Meanwhile, Missouri state Sen. Bob Onder introduced similar legislation
in his state. In addition to closing the legal loophole used by Planned
Parenthood, Onder said the bill is “meant to uphold medical standards,
protect women, and ensure public safety.”
Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster, a Democrat, investigated
abortion facilities in the state and didn’t find any evidence of illegal
activity. But during the House committee hearing on the bill, Children
and Families Committee chairwoman Rep. Diane Franklin and other
Republican lawmakers said the ban is necessary due to insufficient
oversight of fetal tissue donation programs.
“At this point, there’s nothing that helps us have that accountability we’re looking for,” she said.
Last year, Wisconsin state representatives also introduced legislation
banning fetal tissue donation and research using aborted fetal tissue.
That bill establishes standards for disposing of aborted babies that
were at least 10 weeks old when they died. The bill’s sponsors, state
Reps. Andre Jacque and Joel Kleefish, said the absence of regulation has
allowed abortion facilities to dispose of aborted babies as trash or
medical waste.
Other states considering legislation impacting aborted fetal tissue
include Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, New Jersey, Ohio, South
Carolina, South Dakota, and Tennessee.
No states have passed any of the fetal tissue legislation, and Idaho’s
bill still needs to pass a legislative hearing before it’s read on the
Senate floor.
Courtesy: WORLD News Service
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