Arkansas Senate approves bill banning abortion at 18 weeks

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Arkansas Senate on Monday approved a measure banning most abortions 18 weeks into a pregnancy, moving the state closer toward enacting one of the strictest prohibitions in the country.

The Senate approved the House-backed measure by 28-6. It was amended last week to add exemptions for rape and incest. The proposal faces one last vote in the House before heading to Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson's desk. A spokesman says Hutchinson supports the measure.

Arkansas already bans most abortions 20 weeks into a woman's pregnancy. The proposal could be the country's strictest abortion ban if enacted, though bills banning abortions earlier are advancing in several other state legislatures.

"This is a significant bill because it does push the envelope further in the protection of unborn children," Republican Sen. Jason Rapert, who co-sponsored the measure, said after the vote.

Read more: http://www.texarkanagazette.com/news/arkansas/story/2019/mar/12/arkansas-senate-approves-bill-banning-abortion-18-weeks/769413/