On Wednesday, the Senate State Affairs committee approved a bill to extend the 72-hour waiting period for abortion. The waiting period was mandated in 2011, along with prolife counseling. This current proposal, House Bill 1237, omits weekends and holidays from the waiting period.
Proponents say the waiting period gives pregnant women more time to contemplate the choice, and that mandated counseling ensures that women aren’t being coerced into abortion by the biological father or family members.
They say counseling centers should be allowed to be closed on weekends and holidays.
An opponent says an extended waiting period could put the pregnant woman in greater danger.
Representative Karen Soli of Sioux Falls says she has worked with domestic violence victims, and if one of them is being coerced into getting an abortion, an extended waiting period can subject her to greater violence: “Now what do we think is going to happen over a weekend or holiday if a woman is being pressured by the father of her child, or someone else in her family, to have an abortion? Do we think her boyfriend or husband is going to let up? The longer the wait, the more pressure and control will be applied. The more threats will be issued. The potential for violence goes up and the possibility for helping the mother choose what’s best disappears.”
Soli says counseling for women in crisis is important and should be available when the crisis is occurring. During her testimony, Soli offered to provide counseling on weekends and holidays in Sioux Falls, the only location in the state where elective abortion is offered.
The Senate State Affairs committee passed the bill by a 6 to 3 vote. It now goes to the full Senate for debate.