State Abortion Bills Clears Senate

Kentucky State Senate has passed a bill that requires a woman who is having an abortion to have a meeting with a doctor, in person, before the procedure takes place.

Current law, passed in 1998, already requires women to a have meeting with a doctor at least 24 hours in advance of having the abortion procedure to discuss the medical risks and benefits. Many doctors have opted to have over-the-phone consults rather than in-person meetings since there are only two abortion clinics in the state: one in Louisville and one in Lexington.

The new bill would require this meeting to happen in person or a live video conference rather than over the phone. Opponents of the bill believe the requirement will make it harder for a woman to have an abortion. Supporters believe the requirement will help women understand the risks and benefits of the procedure more clearly before hand and believe that this best accomplished with a a real conversation and not a recorded phone message.

Governor Bevin is expected to sign the bill into law.