North Dakota Passes Abortion Ban

The North Dakota legislature passed a bill that is awaiting Governor John Hoeven's signature. The bill would ban abortion if the Supreme Court decides states can make their own abortion laws. The bill would only allow abortions in cases of incest and rape. There are conflicting news articles on if abortions will be allowed to protect to woman's life.

In related news: Ronda Storms' anti-abortion bill will be voted on the Senate floor. Fortunately, the language of having DNA tests of fetuses has been strickened from the bill.

The bill will have a guardian ad litem appointed to each girl. The good news is the bill makes it mandatory for the courts to tell girls they have the right to court-appointed legal council.

Judges will have to factor these issues in granting the parent notification waiver.

1. The minor's:

a. Age.

b. Overall intelligence.

c. Emotional stability.

d. Credibility and demeanor as a witness.

e. Ability to accept responsibility.

f. Ability to assess the future consequences of her

g. Ability to understand and explain the medical consequences of terminating her pregnancy and to apply that understanding to her decision.

How exactly is a minor's age factored into the waiver decision is not explained? Ditto demeanor. This would be laughable if the consequences weren't so important. The bill's language tells me Storms doesn't give a damn about these girls. She could have least come up with more credible concerns for judges to look into.

I'm bothered by how Storms wants judges to explain "medical consequences" to young woman. Judges went to law school. Not medical school. They should have no roll in giving medical guidance to teenage girls.