June 20, 2013

Cuccinelli OKs new abortion rules in Virginia

BY: STEVE CONTORNO SEPTEMBER 26, 2012 | 6:00 PM
Leave a comment
Photo - Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli (Getty Images)
Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli (Getty Images)

Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli approved controversial new regulations covering abortion providers Wednesday, requiring those clinics to meet the same facility standards as hospitals.

In July, Cuccinelli refused to certify the rules because existing facilities would have been exempt from the tougher structural requirements, which included larger operating rooms, wider hallways and bigger parking lots. But the state Board of Health reversed itself earlier this month, voting to require existing clinics to meet the new rules.

In a brief letter to the board, Cuccinelli's office said the new regulations "are constitutional and do not conflict with existing federal or state laws or regulations."

The regulations next face a public review period and approval from Gov. Bob McDonnell, a pro-life Republican.

Anti-abortion advocates said the new regulations will ensure women's safety while abortion rights supporters called it a backdoor attempt to end legal abortion in Virginia.

scontorno@washingtonexaminer.com

View article comments Leave a comment

More from washingtonexaminer.com

Related Articles

From the Weekly Standard

  • June 17, 1953

    Today, speaking at the Brandenburg Gate, President Obama paid appropriate tribute to the brave East Germans who rebelled 60 years ago against Communist dictatorship:

    Read More...
  • Problems of the Second Generation

    The Boston Marathon bombings highlighted, once again, the challenges of assimilating Muslim youth. And while the onus of accountability ought not rest exclusively on Muslim Americans, it...

    Read More...
  • Release Osama Bin Laden’s Files on Taliban

    The Obama administration announced on Tuesday that it was moving forward with its attempt to negotiate with the Taliban, which has opened a long-awaited political office in Doha, Qatar. The...

    Read More...