WASHINGTON — Virginia abortion clinics are getting their licenses extended.
At a Virginia Board of Health meeting Thursday, the head of licensing said the 13 of 18 clinics in Virginia that had temporary waivers from tighter building design rules will now be allowed to stay open through at least next April.
All 18 clinics have renewed their licenses for the coming year. And one complaint has been lodged against an abortion facility since the Board’s last meeting in March and is now under investigation, according to the state health department.
Abortion rights groups complained that the building rules imposed under former Gov. Bob McDonnell’s administration were designed purely to shutter the clinics. Abortion opponents argued the rules were intended to improve patient safety.
The rules required the clinics to comply with the same building design standards as hospitals. Some clinic operators say the renovations to widen hallways and doorways needed to comply with the rules would be too costly and would force them to close.
Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s appointees to the board have moved to reverse the rule changes.
