Missouri Enacts 72-Hour Abortion Waiting Period

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri women seeking abortions will face one of the nation's most stringent waiting periods, after state lawmakers overrode the governor's veto to enact a 72-hour delay that has no exception for rape or incest.

The new requirement will take effect 30 days after Wednesday's vote by the Republican-led Legislature.

About half the states, including Missouri, have 24-hour waiting periods. The new law will be the second most-stringent behind South Dakota, where weekends and holidays don't count in the 72 hours. Utah also has a 72-hour delay, but grants exceptions for rape, incest and other circumstances.

Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon had denounced the measure as "extreme and disrespectful" toward women.

Planned Parenthood, which operates Missouri's only licensed abortion clinic, has not said whether it will challenge the 72-hour law in court.