RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - The Virginia Board of Health has approved abortion clinic regulations that include the strict building standards that abortion-rights supporters opposed.
The board voted 13-2 Friday to enact the regulations, including a hotly contested provision that requires Virginia's 20 existing abortion clinics to meet the same architectural standards as new hospitals. Opponents claim the provision is intended to put clinics out of business. Several chanted "shame" as they left the room.
In June, the board voted to exempt existing clinics from the tough building standards. Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli declared that the board overstepped its authority. He refused to certify the regulations, putting them back before the board for Friday's reconsideration.
