West Virginia Governor Jim Justice said the new measure will help “protect life”.
Photo: Scott Halleran / Getty Images
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West Virginia Governor Jim Justice announced on Friday the signing of a bill to ban abortion, with few exceptions for medical reasons, rape or incest.
Therefore, West Virginia becomes the second state to pass a restrictive abortion bill since Roe vs. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court.
The legislator led by the Republican Party approved House Bill 302 on Tuesday in a special sessionCNN reported it.
The restrictions take effect immediately and the criminal penalties provided for in the bill will take effect in 90 days. However, HB 302 will allow exceptions for cases of rape or incest up to eight weeks of pregnancy for adults and the first 14 weeks for minors, who must be notified by the police at least 48 hours before the abortion.
Likewise, exceptions will be allowed in the event that the embryo or fetus is not viable, in the event of a medical emergency or ectopic pregnancy, which occurs when the fertilized egg implants itself outside the uterus and cannot survive.
“I did exactly what I said I would do: I signed it”; Governor Justice emphasized this in a press conference on Friday morning.
The official stressed that he is proud of the signature, as he believes this measure will help “Protect life”, which he considers “important”.
State lawmakers were unable to reach consensus on key details of the bill in July, when the proposal stalled. With the return of the legislature, however, advocates of abortion rights have criticized lawmakers for finally voting to enact the restriction after weeks of closed-door discussions.
Abortion was legal in West Virginia from July until the 20th week of pregnancyafter a state court judge said he had decided to block a state abortion ban that has existed since the 19th century.
In September, justice summoned lawmakers to a special session and, at the last minute, added abortion to the legislative agenda.
The law states that a person who is not a licensed doctor who practices an abortion in violation of the law could face a crime.for which he should serve 10 years in prison.
Likewise, miscarriages, stillbirths, in vitro fertilization, and medical treatment involving the accidental or unintentional death of a fetus will not be considered abortions.
Abortion providers must report abortions, and in the case of minors, they will be required to notify their parents.
In response, Planned Parenthood South Atlantic Public Affairs Director Alisa Clements warned that the law “It will be deadly to the people of our state.”
“The exceptions in this bill are so limited and limited that it will make it extremely difficult for people in vulnerable situations, including minors and survivors of sexual assault, to get the care they need,” Clemens said in a statement.
With information from CNN
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