(AL) Senate OKs extended waiting period for abortions

The Alabama Senate Wednesday gave final approval to legislation that would extend the current waiting period for abortions from 24 hours to 48 hours.

A second bill that would require parents to sign on consent forms for minors seeking abortions could come up in the Senate Thursday. Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, said another bill that would ban abortions at the detection of a fetal heartbeat is effectively dead for the session.

“There have been similar bills in at least three other states that are pending a determination from the courts,” Marsh said after the Senate adjourned Wednesday. “My thought process is let’s see what happens there, and see if they’re successful before we get enjoined, and spend dollars that we actually don’t have right now as a state.”

The 24 to 10 vote to extend the waiting period mostly fell along party lines. Sen. Roger Bedford, D-Russellville, voted with 23 Republicans for the bill; Sen. Paul Sanford, R-Huntsville, was listed as present. The bill now goes to Gov. Robert Bentley for his consideration.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20140402/NEWS/304020084/Senate-OKs-extended-waiting-period-abortions