Pierre, S.D., Mar 23, 2011 / 16:34 pm
South Dakota's Republican Gov. Dennis Daugaard has signed into law a bill which would require a three-day waiting period and counseling at pregnancy health centers for women seeking an abortion.
Supporters of the bill said the Planned Parenthood abortion clinic in Sioux Falls gives women little information or counseling before they have abortions done by doctors flown in from out of state. They said the bill will help make sure women are not being coerced into abortions by boyfriends or relatives.
The new law requires that an abortion can only be scheduled by a doctor who has personally met with a woman and determined she is voluntarily seeking an abortion. The abortion cannot be done until at least 72 hours after that first consultation.
After signing the bill into law, Gov. Daugaard said in a statement, "I think everyone agrees with the goal of reducing abortion by encouraging consideration of other alternatives."