Gov. Bentley Signs Two Abortion Bills into Law

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley has signed legislation into law that could shutter two of the state’s largest abortion providers.

Bentley’s office on Thursday confirmed the governor signed a bill to deny licenses to clinics within 2,000 feet of public elementary and middle schools. He also approved a ban on a commonly used second trimester abortion procedure.

The law will shutter a Huntsville facility that was forced to move to its current location in 2013 to comply with new facility restrictions on abortion providers. A Tuscaloosa facility could also be affected.

Proponents of the bill say the legislation is meant to shield children from anti-abortion protests. Opponents say it’s simply a “new tool” to ban abortion outright.

Bentley said Wednesday he will always be a “pro-life individual.”

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