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Politics
Tighten abortion waiver, Storms says
By JENNIFER LIBERTO
Published February 15, 2007
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[Times photo: Scott Keeler]
Republican Ronda Storms filed a bill in the Senate this week.
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TALLAHASSEE - Sen. Ronda Storms wants to make it more difficult for minors to get abortions without getting their parents' permission. The Brandon Republican filed a bill in the Senate this week that would narrow the state's parental notification law that allows some girls who are 17 years or younger to ask judges to allow them to get an abortion without asking their parents. Judges have the authority to waive the notice rule based on a girl's maturity and best interests or if she's been abused by a parent or guardian. Under Storms' bill, judges would have to consider specific factors like the child's credibility, emotional stability and "ability to understand and explain the medical consequences of terminating her pregnancy." Storms didn't return several calls for comment on Thursday. The bill has no companion in the House yet, but it's similar to a bill co-sponsored by Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, last year. "I do know that there was quite a bit of angst among some of the members who felt like we left a judicial bypass you could drive a semitruck through," said Baxley, who is in a leadership position in the House this year. He said he hasn't spoken with Storms but he likes the idea. Stephanie Grutman, executive director of the Florida Association of Planned Parenthood Affiliates, said her organization is concerned about the bill. "The law has only been in effect a year and a half," Grutman said, saying that the judicial waiver process is not perfect but getting better. "These girls are not criminals, they need to be provided with compassionate treatment and a streamlined process a teenager can understand."
[Last modified February 15, 2007, 05:28:09]
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by PAT
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04/18/07 01:30 PM
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Now Srorm wants to pass a bill taking $150 MILLION from the Agency for People with Disabilities (A.P.D.) STATEWIDE!!! What does she feel is more important than helping those who are unable to help themselves??? A selfish, hasty person w/power!!
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by c
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03/21/07 09:25 PM
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seen the lady try to close a pizza shop in brandon for having a pink hurst in front of it for promo . there hade been a shouting ten years before at a previuce bussines same address and she clamed it was tacky.poor guy trying to feed his family
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by P
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03/16/07 10:07 AM
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I agree w/Jack S I wish I had had the opportunity to vote for Ms. Storm. We need more folks in our government that will not back down. Keep us the good work!
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by Mark
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02/16/07 12:15 AM
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I just want to meet at least one of the nuts that actually voted for this wacko! I'm still amazed that Hillsborough county has that many idiots.
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by C
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02/15/07 11:16 PM
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Every one of the 30 minors I represented for judicial waivers had counseling and fully understood the medical procedure and its risks. Their parents should be forced to explain why they failed to educate their teens or communicate with them.
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by Paul
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02/15/07 05:26 PM
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Rhonda, Rhonda, Rhonda. You are truly a bible thumping freak of nature. Do your job: build roads, lower my dang taxes, plan a decent highway system for our state. Stay out of people's personal lives.
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by Dean
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02/15/07 03:10 PM
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Rhonda Storms--one more clod in the dirtbag.
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by Linda
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02/15/07 12:18 PM
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I'm not a Rhonda fan but would want to be given a chance to be there for my teens decision and to help them understand the life changing decision. Families are being undermined,& children are making decisions they are not emotionally ready for.
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by Matt
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02/15/07 10:56 AM
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Unfortunately, Storms is on a mission, a mission to push her beliefs through government. There should be a split between church and state - Storms is unfortunately a growing threat to that distinction.
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by jack s
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02/15/07 10:52 AM
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jeremy, the bill Storms is presenting is designed to LIMIT govt. (judge) from taking away the rights of parents to have a say in what kind of medical procedures are performed on their children not increase it. WAKE UP Storms is not the problem.
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by Sara
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02/15/07 10:15 AM
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This woman (and I use the term loosley) needs to get a grip. Rhonda Storm stay out of our personal lives and focus on important issues like keeping sexual predators away from our children, taxes and homeowners insurance. Let me take care of my morals
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by Allen
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02/15/07 10:01 AM
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Is there any way we can get Storms to crawl in a hole and just go away?
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by Jeremy
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02/15/07 09:50 AM
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I'd complain but it would only be truly because Rhonda Storms is the only thing that control of needs tightening...people like her are why our government is getting more and more involved in our personal lives rather than fixing wars and taxes.
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by Mark
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02/15/07 09:48 AM
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I think Storms needs to talk to some pregnant teens and find out what they feel and how they became pregnant before trying to pass biased legislation
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by FRED
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02/15/07 09:08 AM
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Another example of Storms shoving her particular brand of "morality" down other peoples throats. This woman is a "Katherine Harris wannabe" without all the cash. May her term in office be her last.
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by Sue
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02/15/07 09:00 AM
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Why doesn't Rhonda Storms just blow out to sea?
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by Ed
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02/15/07 08:41 AM
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A child cannot get their ears pierced without parental consent yet they can have major surgery based on the whim of a person without any medical background who just met the child seconds before!!!
Talk about child abuse.
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by Kay
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02/15/07 08:36 AM
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Ms. Storms doesn't have much faith in our judges.
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