BISMARCK - Pregnant teenage girls in North Dakota who are afraid to tell their parents about their condition are the least likely to get adequate prenatal care for their unborn babies, doctors and legislators said Tuesday.
That means there are a lot of newborns who have health problems that could have been prevented by better nutrition and other steps their doctors could have advised, said backers of Senate Bill 2181.
"Many minors don't come in until they're in labor," Dr. Shari Orser, a Bismarck Ob-Gyn, told the Senate Human Services Committee.
The bill specifically does not allow pregnant minors to seek or get an abortion without parental consent.
Orser said that if an underage girl comes to her for care because she is pregnant, current state law requires her to turn the girl away until she comes back with a parent or a consent form from a parent or guardian.
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No one testified against the bill.
A bill similar to SB 2181 last session passed the Senate almost unanimously, said prime sponsor Sen. Karen Krebsbach, R-Minot, but then was defeated in the House.
You're on your own
The House on Tuesday killed House Bill 1144, which would have made employers liable for their employees' penalty and interest if an employers' mistake on a W-2 form led to the worker filing a tax return with too little tax paid.
Rep. Lawrence Klemin, R-Bismarck, argued that employees who are assessed tax penalties and interest because of an employers' mistake already have a remedy - suing their employer. The bill was defeated on a 56-36 vote.
Honoring Ford
The Senate passed a resolution Tuesday lauding the memory of former President Gerald R. Ford, who died Dec. 26.
The measure now goes to the House.
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Readers can reach Forum Communications reporter Janell Cole at (701) 224-0830 or forumcap@btinet.net
