NC Senate Approves Abortion Waiting Period, Counseling

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Women seeking abortions in North Carolina would have to get an ultrasound and wait 24 hours after a counseling session under a proposal that could test Gov. Beverly Perdue's abortion rights stance. The Senate voted 29-20 Wednesday to approve the measure requiring women who want abortions to get an ultrasound of their fetus and wait 24 hours after a description of developmental stages, risks and their doctor. The measure now heads to Perdue, who will decide whether to accept or veto it. Perdue will weigh whether the legislation pushes the state too deeply into a private choice, as her fellow Democrats say. Republicans contend the measure gives women more information about what happens during an abortion and who is providing it.