Restrictions on abortion rights have divided the United States.
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The legislature of West Virginia passed a bill on Tuesday to ban almost all abortions, making it the second state to pass a new ban on abortion rights since the Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade in June.
According to the legislation, victims of rape and incest could abort up to eight weeks pregnant, but only if they report it to law enforcement first. Said victims, if they are minors, would have up to 14 weeks to interrupt a pregnancy and they should inform the police or a doctor. Those reports to the police must also be notarized.
Abortions would also be allowed in cases of medical emergencies.
The state Senate approved the bill by a vote of 22-7, after a brief debate Tuesday afternoon. The House of Representatives agreed and passed the bill 78-17. West Virginia’s new abortion ban will go into effect 90 days after passage.
Abortions are legal at the state’s only abortion clinic for up to 20 weeks after fertilization, until this new law takes effect.
The ACLU charged that the legislation had passed the state legislature: “West Virginia just passed a total abortion ban with few exceptions. If it becomes law, West Virginia would become the second state to ban abortion after Dobbs’ decision.
We will never, ever stop fighting for our right to abortion.”
House Republicans from West Virginia moved forward with the state’s strict abortion ban despite signs that many voters elsewhere in the country do not support the Supreme Court ruling and largely oppose tougher restrictions on abortion. the abortion.
The bill now goes to the desk of the Republican governor Jim Justice. The governor has indicated that he will likely sign it, making it a law that will tighten state restrictions on abortion.
Indiana was the first state to pass a restrictive abortion law after Roe v. Wade was overturned, and he did so during a special legislative session.
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