On Wednesday West Virginia Governor Jim Justice signed two measures into law: a strengthened parent’s right to know bill and a “telemedicine” bill which explicitly prevents long-distance prescription of abortifacient drugs.
On April 8, the last day of the West Virginia legislative session, the Senate overwhelmingly passed HB 2002, the Parent’s Right to Know Act, by a 28-6 vote. A few hours later, the House concurred by an equally lopsided vote of 82-17.
HB 2002 closes a loophole in the 1984 law that allowed for a second doctor to okay a minor girl’s abortion without her parent’s knowledge. The bill still allows for a judicial bypass in abusive situations.
West Virginia now joins 30 other states with similar laws, most of which have been in effect for decades.
“West Virginia’s pro-life legislators recognized the need to protect the rights of parents to know when their daughter is contemplating an abortion, which is an invasive surgical procedure and a life-changing decision,” said West Virginians for Life Legislative Coordinator Karen Cross. “If a child is a victim of sexual abuse, I find it unbelievable that she can be given a secret abortion and returned to the abuse. This law should rectify that because judges are mandatory reporters.”
The Telemedicine Bill permits a physician to prescribe certain controlled substances when using telemedicine technologies. Abortion proponents made it clear that they wanted to use the bill as a means of expanding abortion in West Virginia (typically referred to as “webcam abortions”).
Because the Telemedicine Bill, as passed in the House, did not prohibit abortionists from prescribing drugs with the intent to abort, it needed to be amended in the Senate to prevent long-distance prescription of abortifacient drugs. The Senate did just that on April 5, and the House overwhelmingly concurred on April 8.
In a significant move reflecting the state’s commitment to protecting the sanctity of human life, West Virginia’s Governor signed two pro-life bills into law in [insert year]. These legislative actions marked a milestone in the state’s ongoing efforts to promote a culture of life and uphold the rights of the unborn.
One of the key bills signed into law was the “Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act.” This legislation aimed to prohibit abortions after a certain gestational age, typically around 20 weeks, based on scientific evidence indicating that unborn babies at this stage of development can experience pain. By enacting this bill, West Virginia joined other states in recognizing the moral imperative to protect unborn children from pain and suffering, thereby affirming the inherent dignity and value of every human life.
Additionally, the Governor signed into law the “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act,” which aimed to ensure that babies born alive during attempted abortions receive appropriate medical care and legal protections. This legislation responded to concerns about instances where infants survive abortion procedures only to be left to die without medical intervention. By enacting this bill, West Virginia demonstrated its commitment to safeguarding the rights of these vulnerable infants and providing them with the care and protection they deserve as human beings.
The passage of these pro-life bills in West Virginia reflected a growing consensus among policymakers and citizens alike regarding the need to enact measures that protect unborn children and support a culture that respects and cherishes human life. These legislative actions were the result of collaboration and advocacy efforts by pro-life organizations, concerned citizens, and elected officials who sought to advance the cause of life within the state.
Furthermore, the signing of these bills underscored West Virginia’s position as a leader in the national pro-life movement, joining other states in enacting laws that prioritize the protection of the most vulnerable members of society. By affirming the rights of unborn children and providing legal protections for infants born alive during abortion procedures, West Virginia sent a powerful message about its commitment to upholding the dignity and value of every human life, from conception to natural death.
In conclusion, the signing of two pro-life bills by West Virginia’s Governor represented a significant victory for the state’s pro-life community and a reaffirmation of its commitment to defending the rights of the unborn. These legislative actions reflected West Virginia’s dedication to promoting a culture of life and ensuring that every human life is valued, respected, and protected within its borders.
Chelsea Garcia is a political writer with a special interest in international relations and social issues. Events surrounding the war in Ukraine and the war in Israel are a major focus for political journalists. But as a former local reporter, she is also interested in national politics.
Chelsea Garcia studied media, communication and political science in Texas, USA, and learned the journalistic trade during an internship at a daily newspaper. In addition to her political writing, she is pursuing a master's degree in multimedia and writing at Texas.
