Richmond, Va., Jan 29, 2020 / 15:43 pm
Virginia's legislature has voted to repeal restrictions on abortions in the state. The state's governor is expected to sign the repeal into law soon.
The state's House of Delegates voted 52-45 Tuesday to repeal abortion restrictions, including a mandatory 24-hour waiting period before abortion, ultrasound requirements, and standards requiring some abortion clinics to meet hospital construction codes.
The state Senate approved similar legislation Wednesday, though differences in the legislation must be ironed out before a bill goes to Virginia's Governor Ralph Northam for signature. The state Senate split its vote 20-20, and Virginia's Lt Gov. Justin Fairfax cast the tie-breaking vote.
The legislation permits nurse practitioners and physician's assistants to perform abortions, which must now be performed by physicians.