"It's very difficult for a physician to know when he or she is compliance with the law," Huyck said.

Medical Society President Dr. Tosha Wetterneck said the law is an "unprecedented intrusion into the patient-doctor relationship" and requires doctors to follow procedures that are not considered to be the best medical practices.

For example, a patient will now be required to return to the same doctor 12 to 18 days after the medications are administered for followup care. If she refuses, or prefers to see her personal physician, the patient would face no penalty but the doctor could be charged, Wetterneck said.

The law also bars anyone except the woman and the abortion provider and his or her staff to be in the room when discussing whether the woman voluntarily consents to the procedure.

Wetterneck said some patients prefer, or even require, someone else in the room to help them understand the medical information being provided.

"We are asking doctors to reduce their quality of care to avoid felony charges," she said.

The Republican-sponsored bill passed the Legislature on a largely party-line vote of 60-33 in the Assembly with four not voting, and 17-15 in the Senate, with one member not voting.