State lawmakers delay vote on 12-week abortion ban

— The House is delaying a vote on legislation that would ban most abortions in Arkansas at 12 weeks into a pregnancy as sponsors of the measure say they're working on more changes to the bill.

Republican Sen. Jason Rapert said Tuesday that the legislation was being amended to clarify what exemptions would be included under the measure, which would likely be the strictest abortion ban in the nation if approved. The House had been scheduled to vote on Rapert's proposal Wednesday, but that vote was delayed.

Rapert said the measure will include exemptions for medical emergencies and for fetal anomalies. The ban already includes exemptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother.

Rapert said the proposal is also being amended to remove criminal penalties for doctors.

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