Oklahoma lawmaker defends pregnant women are hosts comment

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A Republican Oklahoma lawmaker who defended his description of pregnant women as “hosts” won approval Tuesday for his bill that would require women seeking an abortion to first receive written consent from the father.

The state House Public Health Committee voted 5-2 in favor of the bill by Rep. Justin Humphrey, despite Humphrey’s own concession that it might be unconstitutional. It now proceeds to the full House, where it’s likely to pass if granted a hearing.

“The thing I wanted to spark in a debate is that fathers have a role. Exactly where that role is, I’m not sure,” said Humphrey, R-Lane. “I’m proud that I’ve gotten a chance to start the conversation.”

The bill would require women seeking an abortion to provide the name of the father and would prohibit her from going through with it without his written informed consent. It also would allow the father to demand that a paternity test be performed and would provide exceptions in cases where the woman is the victim of rape or incest or if the pregnancy would endanger her life.

Read more: http://www.eastbaytimes.com/2017/02/14/oklahoma-lawmaker-wants-fathers-permission-for-abortions/