West Virginia lawmakers approve near-total abortion ban

West Virginia lawmakers on Tuesday passed a sweeping abortion ban, prohibiting the procedure even in the earliest days of pregnancy with limited exceptions for rape, incest and the health of the mother.

The bill outlaws abortion after an embryo has been implanted in a woman's uterus, usually within a few days of conception. Minors who are rape or incest victims would have up to 14 weeks to terminate pregnancies, while adults who are raped will have only eight weeks to obtain an abortion. The bill now goes to Republican Governor Jim Justice, who is expected to sign it.

Republican lawmakers wrangled for weeks over how rigid to make the bill, ultimately shrinking the length of time rape victims would have to seek care but removing criminal penalties for doctors.

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