Alabama Gov . Robert Bentley signed a law Tuesday that drastically raises the safety requirements for abortion clinics to operate -- a measure that he says `` has been endorsed by pro-life groups across America . '' But Planned Parenthood immediately warned of `` an almost certain legal challenge , '' saying the new law 's requirements `` would be difficult for nearly all providers to meet '' and would shut down clinics . Bentley , a Republican , hailed the new law . `` As a physician , and as a governor , I am proud to sign this legislation , '' he said in a statement . `` This bill provides appropriate standards of care . '' Doctors who provide abortions must have admitting privileges at local hospitals , the governor 's office said . A similar new law in Mississippi has put that state 's only abortion provider `` on the verge of closing '' because of such an admitting privileges requirement , Planned Parenthood said . That clinic is challenging the Mississippi law in federal court , saying the state would end up banning abortion because the clinic 's doctors have n't been able to gain the privileges . Nikema Williams , vice president of public policy for Planned Parenthood Southeast , said that `` medical experts agree that laws requiring admitting privileges for abortion do n't increase health or safety for a woman . `` They just limit a woman 's access to safe and legal abortion , '' Williams said in a statement . `` As a high-quality health care provider working every day to support women 's health and safety , Planned Parenthood is evaluating every possible option to protect the health of women in the face of this dangerous law and blatant attack on women 's health and rights , '' she said . The Alabama measure passed by overwhelming majorities in both houses of the state legislature . Mike Hubbard , speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives , has said , `` With the passage of this legislation , we are doing everything we can to ensure the procedure is performed in a safe and healthy environment . '' North Dakota governor signs law banning most abortions . Once signed , Alabama 's new law would require abortion clinics to meet the standards of an `` ambulatory surgical center , '' Staci Fox , a spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood , has said . This means the state 's five abortion clinics would have to remodel to increase the sizes of rooms and doorways . `` It puts an undue burden on existing facilities . All of this makes it harder to access health care , '' Fox said . The new law also requires doctors at the clinics to ask pregnant minors under age 16 seeking an abortion who the father is , according to a summary of the legislation provided by Hubbard 's office . The pregnant minor will be able to refuse to give the father 's name and age . Arkansas lawmakers back nation 's most restrictive abortion bill . If the girl provides the name and the father is two or more years older than the girl , the facility will have to report the pregnant girl and father to police , the legislation says . The legislation is designed to prevent abuse . The law is the centerpiece of the `` We Dare Defend Our Right to Life '' section of the House Republican caucus 's 2013 legislative agenda . The law 's House sponsor , Rep. Mary Sue McClurkin , a Republican from Indian Springs Village , Alabama , said abortion clinics truly dedicated to care `` will embrace this legislation rather than oppose it . `` For far too long , Alabama has had more health regulations in place to protect your cat or dog at a vet clinic than it does for a woman receiving an abortion ; this law will correct that shameful disparity , '' McClurkin said in a statement .
Planned Parenthood warns of ` ` an almost certain legal emergency '' Similar new law in Mississippi is about to shut down its last abortion clinic . The governor , who 's a physician , says law is ` ` " by pro - life groups '' State has had more regulations for abortion clinics than a woman seeking abortion , he says .