In 1999 a bill was passed to regulate abortion clinics.  Before the law could take effect, a lawsuit was filed that “stayed” the regulation of abortion clinics until a settlement agreement could be finalized with the Department and the plaintiffs.  Last year the settlement agreement was finalized and the Department was able to write rules for the regulation of abortion clinics.

The new rules are complete and have been filed with the Secretary of State’s office; they go into effect on November 1, 2010.  This has been a complicated process for the Office of Administrative Rules, the AG’s Office and the Office of Medical Facilities (OMF) in the Division of Licensing.  In order to allow abortion clinics to begin performing abortions on November 1, the providers of free standing abortion services will need to apply for a license by September 2, 2010 in order to be licensed by November 1, 2010 (by law, abortion clinics can’t qualify for a temporary license).   If a facility provides abortions and already has a license, they will need to apply for an amended license.   Our medical facility licensing folks will be providing training and surveys to all of the providers before November 1, 2010.

Special thanks go to Kevin Ray and Don Schmidt from the AG’s Office, Tom Salow and Valerie Grina from the Office of Administrative Rules, Alan Oppenheim and Mary Wiley from the Division of Licensing and Kathy McCanna and Connie Belden from our medical licensing shop.