I recognize there are some well-meaning people on both sides of the reproductive freedom debate. But come on, the recently enacted Texas law that would require the burial or cremation of all fetal matter following an abortion or a miscarriage seems like a ham-handed attempt to force women electing to terminate their pregnancy to feel guilty about their choice. As a technical matter, perhaps it isn’t more difficult to obtain an abortion (though it’s anticipated the law would drive up the cost of the procedure), but the state might as well be perched on the woman’s shoulder whispering, “You know you killed your baby, right?” While the state insists the measure is designed to stop the spread of disease [whaaaaa?], astute observers will note no similar measure is made for tumors that are removed, abscesses that are lanced, or teeth that are pulled. Nope, this is only for the uppity women seeking to control their reproductive future. Because science be damned, I guess.
Well, Texas’s expert-level guilting may just have to wait a little while, because a federal judge has granted a TRO delaying the implementation of the law, set to effect on Monday, as the Houston Chronicle reports:
In an at-times testy court hearing Thursday afternoon, U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks opted to grant a temporary restraining order against the new rules that were slated to kick in Monday, Dec. 19.
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Testy. I just bet.
Let’s all do a cheer for common sense, and Judge Sparks.
Judge temporarily blocks fetal burial rules [Houston Chronicle]
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Kathryn Rubino is an editor at Above the Law. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).