RALEIGH, N.C. — A controversial bill requiring higher standards for abortion clinics has taken a sudden turn in Raleigh, and now its critics are accusing lawmakers of a "sneak attack."
After Gov. Pat McCrory threatened to veto House Bill 695, citing the need for significant changes, a House committee changed Senate Bill 353, a bill on motorcycle safety, into a new version of the abortion bill.
The bill, which was previously one page on motorcycle safety, now has four pages on abortion standards and a fifth page on motorcycles.
The move came after McCrory issued a statement on his disapproval of the original bill Wednesday morning. McCrory pledged during his campaign that he would not pursue further restrictions on abortions.
"When I see... Whether Republicans or Democrats are not following the new culture that I promised. I will call them out," he said.
He and Secretary of Health & Human Services Aldona Wos took issue with requirements that doctors be "physically present" for abortion procedures and that clinics needed to meet higher standards, ones for "ambulatory surgery centers" that provide same-day surgeries.
The new bill doesn't include the same clinic standards and only requires doctors to be there when the first drug is administered for a drug-induced procedure.
But the way it was introduced left pro-choice activists furious.
"We had no opportunity for input," Melissa Reed said. "They did this without expertise of women's health providers. This is an outrage and North Carolina women deserve better."
The motorcycle bill in its original form was already on the calendar for committee discussion on Wednesday.
"That means that the public had no way of knowing, really, what was going on," Rep. Alma Adams said.
But supporters argue that the legislation improves safety for women.
Rep. Ruth Samuelson, who is handling the bill in the House, said, "We worked with the Governor and Secretary Wos to address their concerns while still promoting the health and safety of women. By running the bill through a committee, instead of through the usual non-public conference process, we opened the bill up to members and the public for debate."
The bill is up for a full House vote on Thursday and if it passes, it will go back to the Senate for approval.
McCrory's office said he has no comment right now on the new version.
WSOC
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