Virginia Bill Would Ban Abortions After 20 Weeks

RICHMOND, VA — Lawmakers in Virginia will consider legislation early next year that would ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy but provide exceptions if the mother is at risk.

The bill, "Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act," or HB 1473, will maintain that violation of the proposed law would be considered a Class 4 felony.

Were it to reach Gov. Terry McAuliffe's desk, it's hard to envision him not vetoing it, inasmuch that he based part of his gubernatorial campaign against Republican Ken Cuccinelli on a staunchly pro-choice platform and has eased restrictions on abortion clinics put in place by former Gov. Bob McDonnell.

To see a copy of the bill, click here.

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia official Tara Gibson told the Associated Press that "It's really just another attack in a long line of attacks that we have seen on women's access to healthcare here in Virginia."

Countered Victoria Cobb of The Family Foundation, "There's just no question that Virginians want public policy that understands the humanity of the unborn, and I think (they've) been heading in that direction for a long time."

Earlier this month, Ohio governor and former Republican presidential candidate John Kasich signed into law Senate Bill 127 that forbids abortions after 20 weeks.

Photo: Patch file