Louisiana Senate approves abortion ban

BATON ROUGE, La. — Gov. Kathleen Blanco was expected to sign a strict abortion ban into law after the Senate gave the measure final legislative approval Monday.

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The bill would ban nearly all abortions in Louisiana, though it could take effect only under two circumstances: if the U.S. Constitution is amended to allow states to ban abortion, or if the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade abortion rights ruling.

Doctors found guilty of performing abortions would face as much as 10 years in prison and fines as high as $100,000.

Originally, the bill would have allowed abortions only to save the life of the mother, with no exceptions in cases of rape or incest. The House added a provision to allow abortions when the mother’s health faces permanent harm.

The Senate voted 27-0 to approve the change and send the bill to Blanco.

The bill is similar to a South Dakota law passed this year that is expected to land before the Supreme Court.