Abortion restrictions become NC law after veto override

RALEIGH, NC (AP) — Women seeking abortions in North Carolina will be required to wait 24 hours and receive state-mandated counseling and an ultrasound before a procedure.

The Republican-led Legislature completed its override Thursday of a measure vetoed by Democratic Gov. Beverly Perdue.

The Senate canceled the veto thanks in part to a Republican senator who was absent for the final vote. Sen. Stan Bingham of Davidson County had voted against the abortion restriction last month. His absence meant bill supporters got the votes necessary for the override.

The House agreed to the override earlier this week.

Perdue vetoed the bill because she said it obstructs needlessly the patient-doctor relationship.

Social conservatives praised the bill, which also requires a woman consider an offer to see the shape of the fetus and hear a heartbeat.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)