WASHINGTON, D.C. (06-15-15) – Americans United for Life President & CEO, Dr. Charmaine Yoest, commended Governor Greg Abbott for signing Texas HB 3994, a measure based in part on AUL model legislation designed to protect young girls from sexual predators. The new law requires that parents or guardians be notified and be placed in charge of caring for their minor children, including decisions regarding abortion. “Too often, sexual predators use abortion to cover up their crimes against young girls, faking consent or claiming to be the parent so that the evidence of their criminal acts will be destroyed,” said Dr. Yoest. “This law ensures that the people making decisions with and for young girls are those who love them and will stand by them.”
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Geanie Morrison, passed the Texas House with overwhelming support by a vote of 93 to 46 and it passed the Texas Senate by a vote of 21 to 10. “Led by Rep. Morrison and with the help of pro-life leaders like the Texas Alliance for Life, this law represents the kind of commonsense limits on abortion that protect vulnerable, young girls.”
The law requires that a physician assume that a girl seeking an abortion is a minor unless the girl presents a valid government ID proving otherwise. Given the irrevocable nature of an abortion, the law also requires that an abortionist must provide the young girl 48 hours to reflect on the procedure and to notify the parent/guardian of the minor child. For those girls who prefer, they may appear in court to ask for permission if they do not wish to engage their parents or guardian.
But, importantly, the law holds the abortionists accountable to report suspected child abuse to authorities.
“The abortion industry has functioned as a co-conspirator to sexual predators, accepting money to destroy the living evidence of a crime and turning a blind eye to girls who are being abused,” said Dr. Yoest. “This bill, which is long overdue, puts a young girl’s interests ahead of an abortionist’s convenience.”
For more information on the Women’s Protection Project, click here.
For more information on the health risks of abortion for women and girls, click here
