03/17/2003 01:45 PM Senate HES

         SB  30-ABORTION: INFORMED CONSENT; INFORMATION                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR FRED DYSON announced SB 30 to be up for consideration.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS. KARLEEN  JACKSON, Deputy  Commissioner, Department  of Health                                                               
and Social Services (DHSS), said:                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
     The   department  currently   produces,  procures   and                                                                    
     disseminates  a range  of  materials  regarding how  to                                                                    
     have  a healthy  baby  and  ways to  keep  it safe  and                                                                    
     healthy  after  birth.   In  addition,  the  department                                                                    
     maintains a 24-hour referral line for services....                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
To comply  with the  bill, they  would need  additional resources                                                               
for the  production and  distribution of  additional information.                                                               
Implementation of this bill would  be difficult because currently                                                               
the   department   does   not  regulate,   monitor   or   license                                                               
gynecological  clinics or  doctors offices.  Informed consent  is                                                               
already required for any surgical procedure including abortion.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR DYSON asked if she thought this bill is unnecessary.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
MS.  JACKSON said  that some  issues  would need  to be  resolved                                                               
before it  would be workable. Whether  or not it is  necessary is                                                               
up to the legislature.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR DYSON asked if anyone else  wanted to speak to SB 30 today.                                                               
Hearing no  one, he held  the bill  and adjourned the  meeting at                                                               
3:10 p.m.