By Stephanie Carson
Public News Service – NC
RALEIGH — Among the backlog of bills in the North Carolina General Assembly this session, one that is making progress would triple the wait time for a woman seeking an abortion to three days.
The legislation (HB 465) passed the House last week and is expected to move on to the State Senate.
Photo credit: Daderot/Wikimedia Commons
Legislation that would triple the waiting period for an abortion, from one day to three, is expected to move forward in the North Carolina Senate.
Alison Kiser, director of public affairs for Planned Parenthood of Central North Carolina, says while her organization supports women making informed and thoughtful decisions about a tough life choice, she believes the arbitrary time constraint is unfair.
“We all want women to have the information and support they need to make a carefully considered decision about a pregnancy,” she states. “This delay is really about shaming women and blocking their access to a safe, legal medical procedure.”
A woman now has to wait 24 hours to have an abortion in North Carolina, a law that was passed in 2011. If the legislation passes, North Carolina would become the fourth state to require a three-day waiting period.
Supporters of the bill say the waiting period is necessary to ensure that women understand the impact of their decision.
Kiser also says it’s worth noting the speed at which the bill passed in the House Health Committee last week.
“The leaders of the committee willfully ignored opponents of the bill who had lined up to speak,” she points out. “Only one opponent of the bill was heard, whereas more than a half-dozen supporters of the bill were allowed to make public comment in the course of a 50-minute debate.”
While campaigning for governor, Gov. Pat McCrory said he would place no additional restrictions on abortion. Kiser and others are calling for him to keep that promise.
