JACKSON, Miss. — A Mississippi House bill would effectively ban abortion after six weeks of pregnancy.
The bill would require doctors to search for a fetal heartbeat before performing an abortion and, if a heartbeat is found, would make going ahead with the procedure illegal.
The bill passed the House on Wednesday and now goes to the Senate, where a similar bill died in committee.
House Judiciary B Committee Chairman Andy Gipson, R-Braxton, says the bill will ban 90 percent of the abortions in the state because most women seek abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detectable.
The bill allows exemptions if the woman’s life is at risk or no fetal heartbeat can be found. There are no exemptions for rape and incest victims.
The bill is among several supported by anti-abortion groups.