A new law is proposed in Virginia, which would make criminals of women who failed to report miscarriages--even very early (less than 20 weeks) miscarriages. More at Democracy for Virginia.
What is next, monthly mandatory pregnancy tests for all females from 14 to menopause?
Details: The law is proposed by Delegate John Cosgrove (R-78) and is HB1677
What I have learned, through initial research, is that the legislative agenda of numerous anti-abortion groups includes increased reporting of fetal deaths and issuance of death certificates for miscarriages. The point is to advance the legal recognition of "personhood" for all "products of conception".
how can one begin to understand the convoluted reasoning behind this proposal. I hate to say it, but only a man could come up with something quite so stupid.
Posted by: Tom Cunliffe | Saturday, January 08, 2005 at 02:36 AM
That is just so so wrong. I wish they'd spend my tax dollars writing/debating laws that actually protect the citizens of the Commonwealth.
Posted by: Suzanne | Sunday, January 09, 2005 at 10:13 AM
Wow. Just... wow.
Its repugnancy aside, what a bizarre, ass-backwards strategy. I mean, that kind of legal positioning would be an extension -- and a extreme and tenuous one at that -- of established reasoning of in already abortion-prohibitive state. Who would think to try to use an unlikely offshoot to advance the more basic concept (which itself has trouble gathering support)?
On its surface I suppose it might seem clever posturing, but it's grossly unrealistic. And a waste of tax dollars, as Suzanne points out. That legislation will go nowhere.
Posted by: Derek | Friday, January 14, 2005 at 06:26 AM