Texas wants women seeking abortions to take adoption classes first

A new bill filed by a state Democrat would require women to undergo a mandatory three-hour abortion course

Published July 31, 2013 9:27PM (EDT)

State Sen. Eddie Lucio   (Flickr)
State Sen. Eddie Lucio (Flickr)

More news out today from the bad ideas club Texas Legislature: a recently filed bill would require women seeking abortions in the state to first go through a three-hour course on adoption.

But in a fun new twist, the measure was introduced by a Democrat in the state Senate, Eddie Lucio, the only member of his party to vote in favor of the state's sweeping new abortion restrictions.

Lucio's bill would require the Health and Human Services Commission to develop an “adoption education course” that women would be forced to take, in person or online, before being approved for an abortion. After completing the course, a woman would present a certificate of completion to her doctor. (If she can find one, that is.)

From the text of the proposed bill:

Except as provided by Section 171.102, a pregnant woman may not obtain an abortion unless the woman completes the adoption education course described by Subsection (a) and submits the certificate of completion to the physician performing or inducing the abortion. The course must be completed not more than 30 days and not less than 24 hours before the abortion is performed or induced.

“It is my hope that, when presented with more information on adoption resources and services available, more pregnancies can be carried to term,” Lucio said of the measure. “I am fully aware that this bill, filed on the last day of the second special legislative session, will not immediately pass; however, I intend to continue advocating adoption as an alternative.”

h/t San Antonio Express-News


By Katie McDonough

Katie McDonough is Salon's politics writer, focusing on gender, sexuality and reproductive justice. Follow her on Twitter @kmcdonovgh or email her at kmcdonough@salon.com.

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Abortion Abortion Rights Eddie Lucio Texas Wendy Davis Women's Rights