2/7/17
by News Department on 02/07/17Abortion Law in PA...
Legislation began advancing in Pennsylvania on Monday to impose new restrictions on elective abortions as backers resumed a push that stalled last year amid a veto threat from the governor and opposition by the state's largest doctors' organization.
A party-line committee vote Monday sent the bill to the full Senate. Even though it still requires floor votes in the House and Senate, the bill is expected to eventually reach Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf's desk.
Last year, a nearly identical version passed the House, 132-65, but it stalled just short of a Senate vote and died.
Wolf, who supports abortion rights, called the bill "radical and unconstitutional" and vowed to veto it.
The primary feature of the bill would ban elective abortions after 20 weeks, compared with 24 weeks in current law.
As many as 16 states have a similar ban, not including an Ohio law that will take effect in March.
