Conservative bills advance in Kansas
The Kansas House of Representatives approved three bills this week supported by conservative activists. All three passed with wide margins and will now move to the Kansas Senate which is expected to take up consideration of the bills next week.
HB 2166 – Closing the mental health loophole for late-term abortions. Under existing Kansas law, a post-viability abortion is only legal if necessary to avert the “substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function” of the mother. State agencies and the courts have interpreted this to include mental or emotional health creating an environment that provides unlimited access to late-term abortions. HB 2166 would limit post-viability abortions to situations of physical health only.
SB 388 – Keeping abortion out of regular insurance coverage. An amendment added to SB 388 would prevent insurance providers from covering most abortions under basic health care plans. Under the proposal, insurance companies would be able to offer a rider for customers who want abortion coverage. But those customers would have to pay an additional premium specifically for abortion.
H. Sub. for Sub. SB 514 – The Community Defense Act. This bill will prevent sexually oriented businesses – “adult” bookstores, video stores, arcades, nightclubs, theatres, etc. – from being built within 1,000 feet of churches, schools, playgrounds, and homes. It would also require them to close at midnight.
