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HOUSTON (ChurchMilitant.com) - Texas Catholic governor Greg Abbott is proposing requirements to give aborted children burials or cremations.

The heads of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is being ordered to propose requirements for abortion mills to cremate or bury the children they abort.

Ciara Matthews, a spokeswoman for the governor, said, "Gov. Abbott believes human and fetal remains should not be treated like medical waste, and the proposed rule changes affirm the value and dignity of all life."

The Texas Register, a site for updating the public on any political comment, upcoming event or proposal, broke the news on July 1 — less than a week after the U.S. Supreme Court shot down the previous Texas abortion regulations, including the requirement for abortion mills to meet the same minimum health and safety standards of ambulatory surgical centers.

HHSC spokesman Bryan Black said, "Public comment will be taken and then the final rules are expected to take effect in September." The HHSC is allowing a 30-day comment period for public feedback, criticism or support so that its officials may make a decision.

By taking this route, the law can go into effect before the Texas legislative session begins in January 2017. If the proposal were to go through the regular legislative session instead, it would take longer to implement or be potentially stopped altogether.

For many, this is another step closer to winning the fight against the murder of children. But for others, like Heather Busby, the executive director of National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL) and Pro-Choice Texas, this is an outrage.

She is denouncing the proposal, saying, "This is a new low for our state's leaders who are committed to making abortion inaccessible and shaming Texans who have an abortion."

Pro-abortion blog The Burnt Orange also had its own reservations, calling this rule "incredibly inappropriate and offensive." The blog then provides contact information to submit any negative comments that could help stop the proposal.

To submit comments supporting the proposal, email Allison Hughes at allison.hughes@dshs.state.tx.us, or call (512) 834-6775.

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