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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Health Advocates Speak Out against Longer Abortion Waiting Period

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Monday, April 27, 2015   

RALEIGH, N.C. – 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.

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.




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