N.H. House Rejects Bill Requiring Waiting Period, Signed Consent Before Abortions
March 15, 2013 — The New Hampshire House on Wednesday rejected a bill (HB 483) that would have required women to wait 24 hours before obtaining an abortion, the AP/Boston Globe reports.
The bill would also have required physicians to provide women seeking abortions with information about risks and alternatives to the procedure. Women would have had to confirm in writing that they had received the information.
The House passed a similar measure (HB 1659) in 2012, but it was rejected by the Senate.
State Rep. Jane Cormier (R), a supporter of this year's bill, argued that it "in no way comes between a woman and her doctor" and "in no way prohibits a woman from obtaining an abortion should she choose to do so." Supporters also said the bill was needed to give women more information about the procedure.
Opponents of the bill argued that state law already requires physicians to get their patients' consent. "This [bill] would impose a legislative requirement that does not exist for any other medical procedure," said Rep. Sylvia Gale (D) (AP/Boston Globe, 3/13).
The information contained in this publication reflects media coverage of women’s health issues and does not necessarily reflect the views of the National Partnership for Women & Families.
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The Editors
Debra Ness, publisher & president, National Partnership
Andrea Friedman, associate editor & director of reproductive health programs, National Partnership
Marya Torrez, associate editor & senior reproductive health policy counsel, National Partnership
Melissa Safford, associate editor & policy advocate for reproductive health, National Partnership
Perry Sacks, assistant editor & health program associate, National Partnership
Cindy Romero, assistant editor & communications assistant, National Partnership
Justyn Ware, editor
Amanda Wolfe, editor-in-chief
Heather Drost, Hanna Jaquith, Marcelle Maginnis, Ashley Marchand and Michelle Stuckey, staff writers
Tucker Ball, director of new media, National Partnership
