PIERRE (AP NEWS) –   A SOUTH DAKOTA BILL TO REQUIRE ALL PREGNANT WOMEN SEEKING AN ABORTION TO UNDERGO COUNSELING AND WAIT 72 HOURS HAS MOVED CLOSER TO BECOMING LAW.
     AFTER A CONTENTIOUS HEARING MONDAY, THE SENATE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE VOTED 6-1 TO PASS THE BILL. SUPPORTERS SAY IT WILL PREVENT WOMEN FROM BEING COERCED INTO TERMINATING A PREGNANCY.
     THE BILL FROM REP. ROGER HUNT WOULD REQUIRE WOMEN TO VISIT A PREGNANCY HELP CENTER AND LEARN ABOUT THE POTENTIAL RISKS OF ABORTION. HUNT SAID WOMEN WHO GET ABORTIONS NOW OFTEN SEE THEIR DOCTOR FOR ONLY A FEW MINUTES BEFOREHAND.
     MEDICAL AND WOMEN’S GROUPS ARGUED AGAINST THE BILL, SAYING IT WOULD AFFECT DOCTORS AND LEAD TO AN EXPENSIVE COURT BATTLE.
     THE BILL GOES TO THE SENATE. IT HAS ALREADY PASSED THE HOUSE.