HARRISBURG — A new regulation requires all hospitals in Pennsylvania to provide emergency contraception to women who have been raped or sexually assaulted, but hospitals can opt out of doing so if the institution has religious or moral objections.

The Independent Regulatory Review Commission on Thursday adopted the rules, the first statewide to address the touchy subject of how hospitals must deal with emergency contraception.

Critics contend the new rule makes it too easy for hospitals to apply for exemptions.

"We certainly think more work needs to be done to make sure that every victim of rape is given the complete care that she should get as a matter of course," said Larry Frankel, legislative director for the American Civil Liberties Union in Pennsylvania.

State Health Department officials said hospitals claiming an exemption must inform victims of the availability of emergency contraception and arrange for transportation to a facility that provides it.

Critics contend that state officials should have pushed for a requirement that hospitals with religious objections bring in a contractor to dispense emergency contraception. Connecticut requires such a remedy.

State Rep. Daylin Leach, D-Montgomery, is sponsoring legislation that would require all hospitals to tell sexual assault victims that they can provide emergency contraception in the form of the Plan B pill.

Leach has said more than half of Pennsylvania hospitals do not provide emergency contraception, and that each year 25,000 rape victims in the U.S. become pregnant.

Plan B, commonly called the morning-after pill, significantly lowers the risk of pregnancy if taken within 72 hours of sex.