New facilities in Kentucky seeking to perform abortions would be required to obtain from the state a ‘certificate of need’ under legislation approved Wednesday in the republican-led senate.
The measure also requires facilities to have a doctor on site with hospital admitting privileges within 50 miles of the clinic. Republican Senator Albert Robinson of London brought the bill to the senate floor. “Currently abortion clinics are not required to go through this process, which means that there is little oversight of their operations," Robinson said. "The requirement will not cause existing clinics to be shut down."
The measure passed 32 to 5. Democratic Senator Reggie Thomas of Lexington voted against the bill. Thomas said his chamber has proposed four anti-abortion measures this session and he told he colleagues they have been unkind to women of child bearing years. “This bill is just another line, another one in a long line of bills that we’ve passed that wants to deter their ability to engage in what’s otherwise thoughtful family planning,” said Thomas.
The bill now moves to the House.
