New North Carolina laws regarding abortion are effective today, as well as 55 other laws that were recently passed by the state Legislature. 

Senate Bill 353 restricts insurance coverage of abortions except in cases of rape, incest or medical emergency for any employee with a health plan under the Affordable Care Act. It also allows any health care worker, not just doctors or nurses, to opt out of performing abortion procedures. 

The bill also prohibits sex-selective abortions, requires physicians to be present for the entire abortion procedure and sets new standards that abortion clinics must meet in order to continue operation.

According to WRAL, the required clinic upgrades are similar to those required of ambulatory surgical centers. Several of North Carolina’s 16 abortion clinics will need to make costly upgrades to bring facilities up to the new standard or be forced to close. 

These laws have sparked controversy throughout North Carolina, and opponents claim the laws were specially designed to make it harder for women to receive abortions. The Legislature ensures that the restrictions and mandatory upgrades are for nothing but the health and safety of women.