RALEIGH – The North Carolina Senate tentatively approved an unexpected abortion omnibus bill Tuesday evening in a vote of 27-14.

Senate Democrats criticized Republicans for bringing up the bill late on the day before the long July 4 weekend begins.

The proposed abortion restrictions were brought up in a Senate committee meeting at 5:30 p.m. The committee’s calendar only listed House Bill 695 on the agenda. The bill targets Islamic law in family matters such as divorce, child custody and alimony, also known as Sharia law. Republicans tacked the abortion regulations on to that bill

The new legislation would direct state regulators to change clinic rules so they’re similar to those for ambulatory surgery centers – a move Planned Parenthood says could shut down providers. According to legislative staff, only one clinic in the state currently meets that standard. The state’s four Planned Parenthood clinics don’t meet the requirement, as reported by the News and Observer. The bill would also require doctors to be present when women take drugs that induce abortions.

A final Senate vote is scheduled for Wednesday. The House also would have to approve the measure. Gov. Pat McCrory said last fall he was not in favor of signing additional abortion restrictions into law.

In response to this legislation, an impromptu protest is taking place outside the General Assembly at 9 a.m. Wednesday. It’s organized by the pro-choice group, the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League of North Carolina. Chapel Hill Town Council member Sally Greene is expected to attend.

Related Stories
‹
Abortion Restrictions To Undergo Further Review
"...if you go against us once you’ll have to pay for it with your election and your seat."
EXCLUSIVE: Karen Stegman Announces Campaign for Orange County Commissioner Seat
Chapel Hill native and former town council member Karen Stegman plans to run for the Board of Orange County Commissioners in 2026.
Berry, Miller-Foushee Reelected to Chapel Hill Town Council; Newcomers Rivers, McMahon Earn Most Votes
With the early vote totals and nearly all of Chapel Hill's precincts reported on Tuesday night, the Chapel Hill Town Council election appears unofficially decided.
2025 Candidate Introductions: Chapel Hill Municipal Races
Five candidates for Chapel Hill Town Council are vying for four seats — two of which are open — while the mayor's election is unopposed.
Sierra Club Releases Endorsements for Chapel Hill and Carrboro Elections
The N.C. Sierra Club recently shared the candidates it is supporting in the upcoming Chapel Hill and Carrboro municipal elections.
Candidates Drop Out in 2 Chapel Hill Races; Town Council Opens Applications for Brief Vacancy
A pair of candidates in two Chapel Hill elections withdrew recently. Meanwhile, the town council is taking applications for a vacant seat.
Chapel Hill: Mayor Pro Tem Amy Ryan on Good Neighbor Initiative, Flood Response and Upcoming Events
Chapel Hill Mayor Pro Tempore Amy Ryan joins 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell on Thursday, August 14.
Chapel Hill Planning Commissioner Jon Mitchell Discusses 2025 Town Council Candidacy
Jon Mitchell, the former chair of the Chapel Hill Planning Commission, announced that he is running for the Chapel Hill Town Council.
Chapel Hill Town Councilor Camille Berry Announces 2025 Reelection Bid
Chapel Hill Town Council member Camille Berry announced she will seek re-election. If elected, she will serve her second term.
EPA Advisor, Former Professor Louie Rivers III Announces Bid for Chapel Hill Town Council
Louie Rivers III, a social science advisor for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and former professor, announced his bid for the Chapel Hill Town Council this week. Rivers is one of six candidates who have announced bids for the four available seats on the council this fall. “Since the last presidential election, I have become […]
›