Feminist Daily News Wire
January-28-13

Public Comment Period on VA TRAP Law Opens

The 60-day public comment period on Virginia's strict TRAP laws begins today.

Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell certified the new heavily-debated TRAP laws on Friday, December 28, 2012. The harsh TRAP (Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers) law requires abortion clinics in the state of Virginia to meet the same building regulations as new hospitals. TRAP laws were designed to force existing abortion clinics to meet the same building codes as new hospitals. The new regulations would require existing clinics to come into compliance with the regulations within two years or face closure. A Virginia State Senate Committee rejected an attempt to repeal the TRAP laws on January 18, 2013.

The comment period will last two months and allow members of the public to weigh in on the laws before they are reviewed by the Virginia Board of Health for final approval. If the Board approves the laws, the regulations will go into effect during the summer.

Members of the public can submit comments by mail, fax, email, or through an online town hall. You can take action immediately by emailing the Virginia Board of Health from our Take Action page.

Media Resources: WTVR 1/27/2013; Feminist Newswire 1/18/2013, 1/2/2013

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