Abortion Bills Advance In Montana Governor Favors Restrictions But Hasn’t Promised To Sign Bills

Gov. Marc Racicot said Wednesday he favors abortion restrictions like those contained in a pair of bills nearing approval in the Senate and House, but he stopped short of promising to sign them.

The Senate has given tentative approval to a proposal requiring a parent or guardian be notified before an underage girl can get an abortion.

The House has voted for a measure mandating a woman wait 24 hours to get an abortion after receiving statewritten descriptions of abortion and its effects.

Racicot, an abortion opponent, said he wants to review the bills before promising to sign them to make sure they are reasonable, enforceable, constitutional and protect the health and safety of pregnant women.

But, he added, “I believe a parent of a minor child should be involved in making a decision concerning an abortion that involves his or her child.” Such a mandate must allow a judge to exempt a child from the parental notice requirement, Racicot said.

He also said requiring a woman be fully informed before getting an abortion makes sense.

“A woman should be provided with all reasonable information concerning available options and procedures before she makes a decision to terminate a pregnancy,” Racicot said.

Republicans generally supported the bills during five hours of debate Tuesday and Democrats accounted for the opposition.

Each bill already has passed one chamber and faces a final vote later before being returned to the other house for review of changes.