KANSAS CITY, Kan., Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Kansas Attorney General Phil Kline is defending his call for the names and medical records of 90 women who had late-term abortions at two clinics.
Kline said the secret inquiry is to prosecute suspected child abusers. Lawyers for the abortion clinics say demanding confidential sexual histories of women and girls amounts to an invasion of privacy and patient-doctor privilege.
The clinics received subpoenas last fall but a gag order imposed on both sides kept the criminal investigation from becoming public until it reached the state Supreme Court, the Kansas City Star said. Most of the evidence has been sealed in Shawnee County District Court.
Kansas law requires healthcare providers to report suspected child abuse. Sexual activity with a minor under 16 is considered rape.
Late-term abortion is permitted only if the fetus is not viable or the pregnancy poses a significant health risk for the woman.
