Abortion bills go unheard as deadline expired

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A series of anti-abortion bills has died in the legislature as a deadline for hearing them in state Senate committees expired Thursday.<br/><br/>The bills all passed the state House

Thursday, April 6th 2006, 2:42 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A series of anti-abortion bills has died in the legislature as a deadline for hearing them in state Senate committees expired Thursday.

The bills all passed the state House and Thursday was the final day for state Senate committees to consider bills from the House.

The bills included one to strengthen the informed consent law and to regulate distribution of the so-called morning after pill.

Another measure created a "conscience clause" allowing pharmacists to refuse to dispense medication that may end a pregnancy and one requiring doctors compile statistical data regarding abortions and natural miscarriages.

Senator Bernest Cain didn't place any of the bills on the agenda of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee he chairs.

Cain says comprehensive abortion laws were passed last year and he considers the new bills "piling on."