Dayton Vetoes Abortion Facility License Fees

ST. PAUL  (AP) - Gov. Mark Dayton has vetoed a bill to require clinics that perform abortions to pay license fees and undergo special inspections.

Dayton vetoed the bill Thursday. It would have required facilities that perform more than 10 abortions per month to pay a $3,700 annual license fee and undergo twice-yearly inspections by the Department of Health.

Dayton's veto letter says the bill's language was vague in its definition of potential license violations. He says the bill targeted only clinics that provide abortions and that any new licensure standards should apply to all clinics. Dayton also wrote that he believes the bill might violate the U.S. Constitution.

The House had passed the measure on a vote of 80-47 and the Senate supported it 43-23.

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