RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The Virginia Board of Health has approved abortion clinic regulations that include the strict building standards that abortion-rights supporters opposed, saying they are meant to put the operations out of business.
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. Several opponents 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.
