Arkansas lawmakers approve abortion information requirements

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas lawmakers have given final approval to changing the required information a woman receives from a physician before an abortion and to create one of the longest waiting periods in the nation.

The bill approved by the Senate on a 26-4 vote would increase the amount of time between the in-person meeting and the procedure from 24 hours to 48 hours. It would also change the law to require that the first consultation be in-person, meaning a requirement of at least two trips to a health care facility for a woman.

Supporters say the changes will require quality information be provided to women before an abortion, while opponents said the Legislature was overstepping its bounds on what should be between a woman and her doctor.

Read Tuesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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