Issues are last, but not least: State lawmakers to debate several high-profile bills before year is up
by Stacy Forster and Steven Walters ¦ The Milwuakee Journal Sentinel ¦ 9 December 2007 Emergency contraception for rape victims: The bill would require hospitals to offer to sexual assault victims information on and access to emergency contraception. Backers say they have enough votes to get the bill through the Assembly. Measure supporters also said they will work to eliminate an amendment that would exempt hospitals that adopt policies citing moral and religious issues for not complying. The measure's authors have said the amendment would gut the bill. Emergency contraception, known as the morning-after pill or the brand name Plan B, is a higher dose of regular hormonal contraceptives. Taking it within the first 72 hours after having unprotected sex can reduce the chances of pregnancy. Some abortion opponents object to it because they said it could stop a fertilized egg from implanting. Supporters of access to emergency contraception have said the drug doesn't affect an established pregnancy. The Senate passed the bill 27-6 this year. Approval by the Assembly would send it to Doyle, who has said he would sign it. "We've really gotten bipartisan support for a bill that's very important to rape victims in Wisconsin," said Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Madison), an Assembly author.
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