Lawsuit Filed Against Controversial Abortion Bill

September, 29, 2011 , by Whitney Ayres Kenerly

A lawsuit against North Carolina’s controversial new anti-abortion law has been filed this morning in Raleigh. The bill requires women seeking abortions in North Carolina to complete a 24 hour “waiting period” after their initial clinic appointment and to also endure a forced ultrasound of the fetus, while abortion providers are required to give a state-sponsored talk about alternative options or risk being sued.

Local and state chapters of the American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood are suing, arguing that the law is unconstitutional and infringes upon the rights of women and doctors.

The bill was passed into law after the senate overrode Governor Perdue’s veto this summer during the session of the first Republican majority General Assembly in North Carolina since 1870.