New model legislation would call for states to investigate all abortion clinics

Image has not been found. URL: http://images.americanindependent.com/2010/08/MahurinLaw_Thumb1.jpgThe anti-abortion rights lobbying and policy organization Americans United for Life has already updated its recently released model legislation guide for 2011.

Among the brand new proposals is the “Joint Resolution to Promote Women’s Safety by Investigating and Defunding Planned Parenthood and Other Abortion Providers,” which comes on the heels of proposed federal legislation to defund Planned Parenthood and end Title X funding, as well as numerous bills in various states attempting to prevent insurance companies from covering elective abortions.

This joint resolution calls for a state-mandated investigation of all abortion providers in the state, “in particular Planned Parenthood.” AUL’s model suggests that investigators would be looking for violations of state laws, “including aiding and abetting sex-trafficking”; health and safety code; and misuse of government funding. The legislation also urges a legislature to use its subpoena power to obtain all the abortion providers’ business, medical, and other records.

Throughout this investigation period, under this proposed joint resolution, the state would immediately freeze any currently allocated state and federal funding for abortion providers, “in particular Planned Parenthood.”

Most of the evidence used to defend the necessity of the legitimacy of this legislation comes from information obtained from the infamous Live Action sting videos that helped situate Planned Parenthood directly in front of the GOP’s defunding gun.

Depending on where it might wind up, the ramifications of this law would be different — as the term “joint resolution” varies in terms of action and intent depending on the state. In some states it requires the approval of the governor; in some states it doesn’t. In some states it has the effect of a law but cannot be used to amend the state’s constitution; in some states it can be used to amend the constitution.

On the federal level, a joint resolution requires the approval of both chambers, must be signed by the president, and is used to propose constitutional amendments.