Florida Enacts 24-Hour Abortion Wait

Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill into law Wednesday that requires women to visit a doctor and wait at least 24 hours before having an abortion. Women will not be required to wait for the procedure if they provide a police report, court order, or medical report proving the pregnancy was a result of rape, incest, domestic violence, or human trafficking. Opponents of the bill argue the waiting period creates a burden for women, who already have weighed the decision or may live far away from abortion clinics and struggle to make repeated visits to the doctor. The measure goes into effect July 1.