They say the stringent requirements could result in the closing of abortion businesses that are unable to comply.
Under the law, abortion centers would be monitored by the Department of Health and Senior Services as ambulatory surgical clinics, which must meet higher standards for both the facility and staff.
That designation applies to any abortion center where any second or third-trimester abortions are done as well as places that do more than five first-trimester abortions a month.
Planned Parenthood claims the new regulations would require extensive remodeling to its Columbia facility that would cost $2 million. Without the refurbishment, the abortion center would have to close because it couldn't meet the new safety codes.
Paula Gianino, president of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region, previously said other abortion businesses could be affected as well.
"The last several years, we have seen more and more restrictions and hurdles and obstacles and burdens put in front of women, while simultaneously we have fewer and fewer providers" of abortions, she told AP.
She indicated that Planned Parenthood's St. Louis abortion facility is currently the only one in the state licensed to do abortions. The Planned Parenthood abortion centers in Columbia and Kansas City do abortions only two days a month and offer the abortion drug respectively.
They would also be subject to the new requirements.
Republican Gov. Matt Blunt signed the law last month and said it is "one of the strongest pieces of pro-life legislation in Missouri history."
The new law also would increase state oversight on abortion centers and prohibit them from distributing materials for sexual education courses in public schools. Planned Parenthood has a half dozen people that go to schools to spread its pro-abortion message.
The legislation gives schools districts the option of teaching abstinence-only sex education whereas current law requires them to include safe sex materials as well.
Related
web sites:
Missouri legislature - http://www.moga.mo.gov
