Decision '92, Senate Bill 162

Abstract

A program made by the Pro-Life Education Foundation of Maryland, Inc. to encourage voters to vote against Maryland Senate Bill 162 (SB 162) which established the right of the physician requested to perform the abortion by a minor, to determine whether her parents required notification prior to the procedure. The tape begins with a old footage and narration referring to women's efforts in the early 20th Century to gain the right to vote. In cameo appearances, speakers then state that SB 162 is a step backward and is detrimental to women, minors, and families. The cameo appearances by speakers are in black and white, while the central appeal is in color. All the cameo speakers are persons affiliated with the Pro-Life Education Foundation of Maryland, Inc. Concerns stated are the fact that any physician may perform an abortion; abortions may be performed in locations other than a hospital; no regulation and oversight of the procedure is required; the physician performing the abortion may decide that parental notification is not required when minors request an abortion; that abortions would be permitted to be performed for any reason; that abortion is not regulated in any way so that women are not protected against safety violations or poorly qualified abortionists; that the law is favorable to the abortion industry and does not protect women and their families and that the law permits abortions that are exploitative of women. Dick Dowling summarizes that before Roe v. Wade only 9,196 abortions were performed in MD and that they were performed by qualified physicians, in the hospital, and required the approval of a hospital review committee. After Roe v. Wade, over 31,000 abortions were performed per year.