Tomorrow is the day. HB1237 is on the schedule for a final vote in the Senate. Today, it came flying out of committee. But proponents know they have to work fast to get it passed on the Senate floor. Our efforts are working, people are changing their minds.
Just today, Rep. Kathy Tyler who voted to pass the bill in the House, testified against the bill in the Senate Committee!
What can you do? Please contact your Senator and ask them to please vote no on HB1237.
The bill eliminates weekends and holidays from the existing 72 hour waiting period on abortions. While proponents argue this is necessary to ensure Crisis Pregnancy Centers have the time they need to schedule women to hear their anti-choice rhetoric, it is unnecessary. The CPCs have all the time they want under existing law. If they are really trying to help women. Shouldn’t they make their services available when and if women want them?
Unfortunately, this legislation allows CPCs to extend the waiting period by arbitrarily scheduling sessions at a future date. And it unconscionably enables the CPCs to further interfere in private medical decisions that are best left up to a woman, her family and her doctor.
South Dakota has enough restrictions on abortions. The voters said we had enough in 2006 and 2008 when they voted against further government intrusion. It is time for the legislature to say enough.
Given the short time, the best way is to contact your Senator by email. But, you may also leave a message for your Senator -but only during session hours — by calling 605-773-3821.