Abortion drug, DNA sample proposals proceed to full House
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By Michael McNutt
Published: February 21, 2008
The House Judiciary and Public Safety Committee approved a measure Wednesday that would require a DNA sample to be taken from anyone arrested for a felony and another that would enact additional regulations for doctors who prescribe medication that induces an abortion.
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DNA samples
House Bill 3059 would require a blood or saliva sample for DNA testing to be taken when a person arrested on a felony complaint is booked in a jail.
Rep. Skye McNiel, R-Bristow, the bill's co-author, said the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation estimates it will cost about $550,000 to set up the system. Annual costs are estimated at $50,000.
Abortion medications
The committee also approved HB 2181, which states that a doctor must meet criteria established by federal law to prescribe RU-486, or mifepristone, to induce an abortion.
McNeil said some doctors in the state who are prescribing the pills are not having the women return in 14 days for a checkup.
"Some of these women are having a blood infection, which eventually will kill them or hemorrhaging too much,” she said. "They expect some bleeding, but they don't know what is excessive. So we're losing some women.”
Doctors whose patients have trouble with the drug are required to fill out forms, according to the bill.
"If they don't fill out this paperwork and if they do not give the drug in a proper manner, it's a felony,” McNeil said.
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