"Right to know" bill will provide critical information

Friday, March 4, I gathered with several pro-life advocates to watch the proceedings on the monitors just outside the Senate Chambers for the historic vote on the "Woman's Right to Know," bill. For several years this issue had been introduced and then assigned to a committee where it would be stalled, not allowing a debate on the Senate floor.

Last year, we had the votes to pass this major item of moral legislation, but it was not allowed out of committee. With the change in the leadership of both the House and Senate in Georgia, the opinion was that this would be the year the bill would be debated and brought to a vote.

When the bill was introduced, a motion passed allowing no amendments. The vote was to be "pass or fail" from the State Senators gathered in the chamber that Friday morning. The House of Representatives had voted overwhelmingly to pass this bill, 139 for and 35 against. When the votes were tallied from the Senate we saw 41 of our State Senators had voted yes, and 10 voted no.

The shouts of joy rang through the halls of the capitol that morning. Congratulations were in order for all those of us who had worked to see this bill passed. The governor will sign this bill into law.

The question is, "What does this bill do?" Simply stated, this bill allows for a woman who is seeking an abortion to be given full disclosure from the doctor performing the abortion as to the risks involved. A booklet is to be available depicting the development of the child in the womb, and at what stage the child begins to feel pain. A waiting period of 24 hours is required from the first point of contact (which can be by phone) before the doctor can go forward with the abortion process.

This bill does not outlaw abortion or stop them in Georgia; it only informs the woman seeking an abortion. Parental permission is required for a woman below the age of 18 who is seeking an abortion. While we are thankful for this historic piece of pro-life legislation, we have much more to do in regard to moral issues before us in Georgia.

Each week, we are hearing from people asking what can be done about the slippery slope of immoral activity we are facing in our culture. We are seeing schools deal with the issue of "pro-gay" clubs, communities facing liquor by the drink referendums, "adult stores" open in small communities in our state peddling pornography and we are hearing more about removing all restraints regarding the gambling issue in our state.

Each church in our state is encouraged to have a Salt and Light Team that will monitor the moral issues we face. I am available to assist you in beginning these teams.