AP Wire

Lawmakers toughen criteria for abortion doctors

by The Associated Press

Photo by Elisa Rolle/Wikimedia

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana lawmakers have agreed to toughen the criteria for doctors who perform abortions.

With a 35-0 vote Tuesday, state senators gave final legislative passage to a measure that will require doctors who perform abortions to be either board certified or certifiable in obstetrics and gynecology, or family medicine.

Medical students enrolled in residency programs for obstetrics and gynecology or family medicine are allowed to perform abortions if under the "direct supervision" of a board-certified doctor, under the bill.

The measure — sponsored by Rep. Katrina Jackson, a Monroe Democrat — heads next to the governor's desk. Jackson, an abortion opponent, described the stricter standards as a safety precaution.

Lawmakers have proposed several new restrictions on abortion. Jackson's bill is the first to gain final passage.