Gov. Bush signs abortion bill calling for increased state oversight News
Gov. Bush signs abortion bill calling for increased state oversight

[JURIST] Florida Governor Jeb Bush [official website] Tuesday signed into law House Bill 1041 [status and text], providing for increased state oversight of clinics that provide second-trimester abortions. Bush said the law is about increasing safety standards [AP report] and does not affect constitutionally protected abortion rights. Opponents say its true goal is to close clinics [Sun-Sentinel report]. Read the Bush press release on the bill signing. This bill is the second abortion-related bill signed by Governor Bush this session. Last week Bush signed a measure [press release] requiring physicians to notify the parents of minors seeking abortions. The Miami Herald has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

South Africa becomes first country on continent to legalize same-sex marriage

Same-sex marriages became legal in South Africa on November 30, 2006 as the country's Civil Union Act, 2006 went into effect, making South Africa the only country on the African continent to legalize same-sex marriage. Read the Civil Union Act, 2006.