Attorney General Thomas Reilly criticized the Romney administration Tuesday for proposing regulations that would allow Catholic and privately-owned hospitals to opt out of a new law requiring they dispense emergency contraception to rape victims.
Reilly stopped short of saying what steps he might take once the new regulations go into effect next week.
"There shouldn't be any confusion about this. The law is clear. It applies to all hospitals without exemption," said Reilly, who is planning a run for governor next year. "There is still time for the administration to come to its senses and do the right thing."
Romney, who had vetoed the law, defended the decision of his Department of Public Health, saying the new law conflicted with an older law barring the state from forcing private hospitals to dispense contraceptive devices or information.
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