The waiting period to seek an abortion could be extended under a new bill
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The waiting period to seek an abortion could be extended under a new bill

Date: January 27, 2014
By: Steven Anthony
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
A Senate committee debated how long a woman must wait to have an abortion
RunTime:  0:39
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday debated a bill that would extend the time a woman would have to wait to get an abortion from 24 hours to 72 hours.

Bill sponsor Sen. David Sater says a woman needs time to sort everything out before she has an abortion.

Actuality:  SATER.WAV
Run Time:  00:10
Description: I think that a patient needs to have the time to confer with maybe a third party entity in which they could give her some more informed information.

Utah and South Dakota are currently the only states that have a 72 hour waiting period.

Testimony on the bill lasted over an hour and alternated between supporters and opponents.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Steven Anthony.

Intro: 
Senate Minority Leader strongly opposes lifting waiting period for abortion
RunTime:  0:38
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Democratic Senator Jolie Justus expressed fervent opposition to a bill that would lift the waiting period for an abortion from 24 to 72 hours.

Justus says this law is unique in one particular aspect.

Actuality:  JUSTUS2.WAV
Run Time:  00:11
Description: This is the only statute that we have on the books that interferes with how a doctor and a patient make decisions, and so I'm opposed to the 24 hour waiting period; I'm opposed to the 72 hour waiting period.

Private citizens and groups for and against the bill, such as the Right to Life and NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri, took turns testifying on the bill.

The sponsor of the bill is Republican Sen. David Sater.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Steven Anthony.