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WEST VIRGINIA‘s state legislative chambers on Tuesday banned abortion in almost all circumstances, with exceptions in cases of rape, incest or when the mother’s life is in danger.
The state Senate voted 22-7 to approve the ban, which the state’s lower house had already approved by a vote of 78-17. For the measure to become law, all that is missing is the signature of the governor, Jim Justice, who has already said he will sign it.
Both chambers are controlled by the Republican Party, to which Justice also belongs.
The prohibition of practically all abortions will come into force in 90 days, as specified in the legal text itself, and among other things it contemplates sanctions for doctors who perform abortions illegally.
Until now, abortion was legal in West Virginia up to 20 weeks of gestation.
The state – one of the most conservative in the country – thus becomes the second to ban abortion by law.
In August, Indiana – also under Republican control – was the first state to take this step, whose ban will be implemented as of Thursday.
