RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Legislation directing North Carolina public schools to teach that abortion and other activities put women at risk of premature births later is heading to Gov. Pat McCrory’s desk.
The Senate agreed 32-12 Tuesday to House changes to the bill that would add the warning to mandatory health curriculum starting in the seventh grade. The bill says schools must teach that preventable risk factors for preterm births include induced abortion, smoking, alcohol consumption, drug use and inadequate prenatal care.
A newspaper reported McCrory saying last week he would sign the bill if it included the list of risk factors.
Republican lawmakers say the state Child Fatality Task Force recommended adding the risks to the curriculum. Democrats and other opponents say there’s not clear scientific evidence linking abortion and later preterm birth.
(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
Trending on CBS Charlotte:
[archives]
