SD may require medical pros at pregnancy help centers

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- A South Dakota House committee is looking at proposed changes to the state's one-year old abortion law that is being challenged in court.

The Legislature last year passed a law requiring women seeking abortions to wait 72 hours and undergo counseling at pregnancy help centers that discourage abortions. Planned Parenthood contends the law is unconstitutional, and a federal judge has suspended the law from taking effect while it's being challenged in court.

The House Judiciary Committee is hearing testimony Wednesday on proposed changes in the parts of last year's law dealing with consultations at the pregnancy help centers, which are supposed to determine if a woman has been coerced into getting an abortion.

One change would require the pregnancy help centers to have licensed doctors, nurses or counselors. (Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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