Topeka ? An attorney says a Kansas doctor facing scrutiny for referring young patients for late-term abortions doesn’t expect a decision from the state’s medical board on her case until early next year.

Dr. Ann Kristin Neuhaus provided second opinions that the late Dr. George Tiller’s clinic in Wichita needed under Kansas law to perform late-term abortions. A complaint before the medical board accuses her of negligence in conducting mental health exams for 11 patients, aged 10 to 18, who had abortions from July to November 2003.

Neuhaus, from Nortonville, strongly disputes the allegations.

Her lead attorney, Robert Eye, said he doesn’t expect a hearing officer to make a recommendation to the board until early January on whether Neuhaus should face sanctions. Testimony in her case won’t conclude until Nov. 4.