Senate passes abortion waiting period bill

RALEIGH, N.C. — Legislators have passed a bill that would require women to get specialized counseling and wait 24 hours before having an abortion.

The state Senate voted 29-20 Thursday night to prohibit an abortion unless a woman is provided with state-specified information about the physician at least 24 hours in advance. The House approved the bill last week.

The bill now goes to Gov. Bev Perdue.

Called the “Women’s Right to Know” act, the measure requires a woman to get an ultrasound with images and a fetal heartbeat and then wait 24 hours before terminating a pregnancy.

The doctor would also be required to counsel the woman about alternatives to abortion. There are no exceptions for cases of rape or incest.

Supporters say it will make sure women seeking abortions have all the information they need. Opponents say it will restrict access to a legal procedure and will disproportionately affect poor and minority women.

North Carolina is one of 16 states that don't require specialized counseling before an abortion. Half the states require a waiting period after counseling.

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Holli0224, are you familiar with human biology? Do you know what zygote is? A blastocyst? They’re formed shortly after egg fertilization and are...”blots of tissue”...and barely at that.

So, for those of us who study science, it’s really “sad” that “very disappointing” that you don’t know this.

Since I’m all about education...this is paraphrased from wikipedia: “after egg fertilization, a human zygote exists for about four days, and becomes a blastocyst on the fifth day."

hereandnow99
June 20, 2011 11:56 a.m.

Cricket at the lake said, “If I can make a few people at least...” “You should at least...”

Here’s the problem. We have a bunch of people telling us they’re for “less government” and “freedom”, yet they’re they ones trying to MAKE other people do things that THEY think we SHOULD do. And, these "less government" people create any and all laws necessary to regulate our lives.

It’s history repeating itself. It was the self-professed “less government” folks creating laws to keep whites from marrying blacks, to stop people from performing certain sex acts (sodomy) and to keep women from owning land and voting. Now, it's gay marriage, abortion, and on and on. Will they ever stop?

hereandnow99
June 20, 2011 11:45 a.m.

"Does this apply to a woman who was raped?"

There is no exception for rape or incest.

"We really want to put her through that torture?"

based on the comments from some on here yes they indeed do.

Common Nonsensical
June 17, 2011 11:58 a.m.

I'm surprised there isn't even more debate on this topic than there is. Personally, I think forcing a woman to listen to the heartbeat and wait 24 hours is just one more effort to make a woman feel as guilty as possible for having the abortion.

Does this apply to a woman who was raped? We really want to put her through that torture? Wow...

I do not like abortion, but I also think it's socially irresponsible to encourage a 15 or 18 year-old girl to carry a baby to term when that will adversely affect them and the child for the rest of their lives. I have known so many young girls who have literally had their lives ruined due to birth of a child: they cannot go to college, have a very hard time with finances, etc. The children "pay the price", too. That's not fair for the children. I'd rather see children born into a home that is ready and able to care for them.

paulej
June 17, 2011 11:36 a.m.

mep said: "it is considered by a majority of Americans to be a living human being worthy of certain rights"

Even most Conservatives don't believe that.

Exhibit A: the absolute lack of concern about the death and destruction caused directly or indirectly as a result of the wars we are currently engaged in.

Exhibit B: the absolute lack of concern about the death and destruction caused directly or indirectly by American companies throughout the world (e.g. Big Oil)

Common Nonsensical
June 17, 2011 11:04 a.m.

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Senate passes abortion waiting period bill

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