Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley will soon sign the “Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act,” a bill that bans abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, his press secretary said on Tuesday. It follows similar restrictions introduced in a number of other states.
Alabama state laws currently allow abortion up to the state of fetal viability, which is usually between 24 and 26 weeks gestation. The new bill will restrict abortions beginning on the first day of the 20th week of pregnancy. It makes no exceptions for cases of rape and incest. It makes it a felony to perform an abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy, unless the woman is at risk of death or serious physical harm as a result of the pregnancy. It also requires abortion providers to keep more extensive records on the number and type of abortions they have performed.
Idaho, Indiana, Kansas and Oklahoma have passed similar restrictions earlier this year. Nebraska also passed a new law last year that put more restrictions on abortions.
Source: Channel 6 News Online