(JUNEAU) - Sen. Fred Dyson (R-Eagle River) has heard "considerable testimony" from Alaskan women saying that they had not received adequate information about abortion or the alternatives to abortion before having the procedure. With passage of Senate Bill 30 out of the Senate on Thursday Dyson is optimistic that women will now have the tools with which to make an objective and informed decision about their reproductive health.

In regulation since the early 70's, Alaskan doctors that offer abortion services have been required to inform their patients of the "medical implications and the possible emotional and physical sequelae of the procedure." Unfortunately, Dyson says occasionally women believe they had not been given all the information needed to make an informed decision about abortion and end up suffering both physical and emotional damage because of the lack of information. SB 30 raises the bar on informed consent, elevating the requirement from regulation to statute and establishing a fair and objective website to be maintained by the Department of Health and Social Services, where women can get information about abortion and reproductive alternatives.

"This website is designed to give women facts about their reproductive choices, it is not designed to take a stand on either side of the abortion debate," said Dyson. "We want to ensure that women have some where to go and get accurate and objective standardized information."

Dyson explains the bill helps doctors conform to the law as well, by giving them an optional tool, which ensures they are giving women all the information needed to fulfill the informed consent laws of the State. Dyson explains that if doctors use the website's materials, they are immune from civil liability claims stemming from failing to provide adequate information.

"Doctors can either printout the information for their patients or simply give them the web site address and be in conformity with the law," said Dyson. "It does not matter to me how the women get the information as long as they get it and can make a truly informed decision about their own individual and private circumstances."

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