Mo. bill would create abortion waiting period

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Women seeking abortions in Missouri would have to receive information about the fetus and wait 24 hours for the procedure under a bill in the state Senate.

Republican Sen. Rob Mayer of Dexter is the sponsor. Mayer told the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday the information would help persuade women seeking abortions to choose other options.

A spokesperson for Planned Parenthood called the waiting period an unfair burden and said much of the information is already available.

The bill would require that women be given information on emotional and physical risks of abortion and on fetal pain at least 24 hours before the procedure. They would also have to be given the choice of seeing an ultrasound and hearing the fetal heartbeat.