Vote for life

Abortion centers will now be forced to conform to minimum hospital safety standards, according to a bill passed by the Virginia Senate today. The Senate voted 20-20 for the bill and Republican Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling cast a tie-breaking vote in favor of its passage.

The bill is a landmark victory for the pro-life lobby, which has been pushing for the stricter regulations on abortion facilities since similar regulations were overturned in 1984.

"After over two decades of hiding behind a veil of political secrecy, abortion centers in Virginia will now face greater scrutiny and better health standards," Family Foundation President Victoria Cobb said in an email release today.

In a statement released on its website, NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia said the regulations could force 17 of Virginia's 21 abortion centers to shut their doors.

Del. Kathy Byron, R-Campbell, tacked the amendment onto a Senate bill that dealt with infection prevention and disaster preparedness at hospitals and nursing homes. Doing so allowed the bill to sidestep a Senate committee notorious for killing pro-life legislation and force a vote on the Senate floor, where Democrats hold a tiny majority.

Two pro-life Democrats, Sens. Chuck Colgan of Prince William and Phillip Puckett of Russell County, voted with Republicans to approve the measure.

The bill requires all facilities that perform five or more first-trimester abortions each month to be categorized as hospitals, which are subject to strict guidelines regarding everything from the structural layout, staffing, and equipment to how laundry is done and food is served.

Abortion supporters warned of legal challenges if clinics shut down, cutting off access to the procedures for the poor and those in rural communities. However, an opinion released by Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli in August stated that the Board of Health had the legal authority to regulate clinics.

Similar regulations in South Carolina have been previously declared constitutional by that state's high court.

The bill now goes to Gov. Bob McDonnell, a Catholic who supports the proposal.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.