Gov. Bentley signs 2 controversial abortion bills into law
MONTOMERY, Ala. — Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley has signed legislation into law that could shutter two of the state's largest abortion providers.
Bentley's office on Thursday confirmed the governor signed a bill to deny licenses to clinics within 2,000 feet of public elementary and middle schools. He also approved a ban on a commonly used second trimester abortion procedure.
The law will shutter a Huntsville facility that was forced to move to its current location in 2013 to comply with new facility restrictions on abortion providers. A Tuscaloosa facility could also be affected.
Proponents of the bill say the legislation is meant to shield children from anti-abortion protests. Opponents say it's simply a "new tool" to ban abortion outright.
Bentley said Wednesday he will always be a "pro-life individual."
