| Tuesday, 22 March 2011 10:55 |
| PIERRE, S.D. (AP) _ South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard has signed into law a bill requiring women to wait 72 hours before having an abortion. It's the longest waiting period in the nation. The bill also requires women to undergo counseling at pregnancy centers that aim to convince them not to have an abortion. The law is set to take effect July 1, but it is almost certain to be challenged in court by opponents who say it is unconstitutional. About half of the states, including South Dakota, make women wait 24 hours after meeting with the doctor who will perform an abortion before going through with it. (Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) |

