Tough Louisiana Abortion Restrictions Become Law

The Louisiana abortion industry took a hit Thursday as Gov. Bobby Jindal signed two bills into law designed to restrict abortions in his state.

One of the bills requires all doctors who perform abortions to have hospital admitting privileges.

"Women who resort to the traumatic experience of abortion are entitled to have these procedures performed in a safe environment," said Rep. Katrina Jackson, D-Monroe, who sponsored House Bill 388.

"The Unsafe Abortion Protection Act ensures that surgical abortion facilities are held to the same safety standards of other outpatient surgical facilities in Louisiana, and this initiative will build on our past work to protect life in our state," she said.

The second bill prevents abortion providers such as Planned Parenthood from distributing abortion information or materials inside public or charter schools.

"I am proud to sign these bills because they will help us continue to protect women and the life of the unborn in our state," the governor said in a statement. "These new laws will give women the health and safety protections they deserve and continue to make Louisiana a state that values human life."

The legislation could force the closure of several abortion clinics.