Sara Finger, director of the Wisconsin Alliance for Women 's Health, which supports the bill, said she expects even more members of the Assembly to vote for the measure when it comes up again. Those who don 't will have to explain their position to voters during the 2008 election campaign, she said.

"Come January, knowing it 's an up or down vote on the one bill that would allow rape victims to get the care they deserve, people will be on the right side of the issue, " Finger said. "I think it 's extremely dangerous for anyone to vote against it in January. "

Eleven Republicans joined 45 Democrats to support the finished version of the bill. One Democrat and 40 Republicans opposed it.

The bill has already passed the Senate by a vote of 27-6. The Assembly version includes a minor change from the Senate version.

If the Assembly gives final passage to the bill, it would go to the Senate again before being sent to Gov. Jim Doyle. The Democratic governor supports the measure and will sign it, a spokesman said.

The bill would require all Wisconsin hospitals to offer emergency contraception to rape victims. A survey of state hospitals in 2006 by the Comprehensive Care for Rape Victims Coalition found that about one-third of the hospitals provide emergency contraception to rape victims.

Emergency contraception is a high concentration of birth-control pills that can prevent pregnancy if taken within three to five days of intercourse. It works by preventing an egg from leaving the ovaries, preventing sperm from fertilizing an egg or blocking a fertilized egg from implantation.

Proponents say it should be available to rape victims so they don 't have to worry about becoming impregnated by their attacker. They also say it would reduce abortions by preventing pregnancies.

Opponents argue it amounts to abortion because it can block the implantation of a fertilized egg.

Among groups in Wisconsin that have opposed abortion rights, only Pro-Life Wisconsin opposes the hospital mandate. Wisconsin Right to Life and the Wisconsin Catholic Conference are neutral on the bill.

Sande said Pro-Life Wisconsin will try to persuade some supporters of the emergency contraception bill to change their votes, but he wouldn 't say which lawmakers the group would target.

Supporters include the Wisconsin Nurses Association, the Wisconsin Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs Association and the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

Emergency  contraception bill

What: A bill requiring Wisconsin hospitals to offer emergency contraception to rape victims received preliminary approval from the state Assembly late Tuesday.

What's next: Republicans delayed a final vote until January. Bill opponents say they  'll work to change the minds of some lawmakers who voted for the bill.