N.H. Legislature Overrides Veto on Abortion Procedure Ban

June 29, 2012 — The New Hampshire Legislature on Wednesday voted to override Gov. John Lynch's (D) veto of legislation (HB 1679) that would prohibit so-called "partial-birth" abortion, the New Hampshire Union Leader reports (New Hampshire Union Leader, 6/27).

Under HB 1679, which takes effect Jan. 1, doctors could be charged with a felony and face up to seven-and-a-half years in prison for performing the procedure, which already is prohibited by a federal law (Landrigan, Nashua Telegraph, 6/28).

The bill allows exceptions only after a physician has confirmed that a woman's life would be threatened by continuing the pregnancy and a second doctor -- with no legal or financial ties to the first doctor -- has confirmed the diagnosis. In vetoing the bill, Lynch said he was satisfied with the federal law and concerned that the additional requirements in the New Hampshire bill could jeopardize a woman's life in an emergency (Women's Health Policy Report, 6/19).