Law banning abortion after a detectable fetal heartbeat is set for consideration by Legislature

Louisiana could soon follow in the footsteps of several other states that have signed controversial legislation banning abortion as soon as the fetal heartbeat is detectable.

The measure is considered the be one of the most restrictive anti-abortion laws in the United States, banning the procedure at the six-week marker when the fetus’ heartbeat is detectable.

The Louisiana bill (SB 184), sponsored by Sen. John Milkovich D-Shreveport, makes an exception in cases where the mother could die or suffer a severe health risk if the pregnancy isn’t terminated or if the fetus has died in utero.

The physician would have to provide a written statement describing the woman’s medical condition that made the abortion necessary and the statement would have to kept in the patient’s medical records for up to seven years.

Read more: https://www.al.com/news/2019/04/law-banning-abortion-after-a-detectable-fetal-heartbeat-is-set-for-consideration-by-louisiana-legislature.html