Indiana passes abortion ban that wipes out most procedures

Indianapolis, Indiana - On Friday, Indiana became the first state in the nation to approve a new near-total ban on abortion after the Supreme Court's overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling back in June.

Indiana has become the first state in the nation to pass a bill that nearly bans all abortion procedures, following the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Indiana has become the first state in the nation to pass a bill that nearly bans all abortion procedures, following the overturning of Roe v. Wade.  © Jon Cherry/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/Getty Images via AFP

Republican governor Eric Holcomb reportedly signed the bill last, hours after the state's Senate approved it with a 28-19 vote, and the House advanced by 62 votes to 38.

The ban, which comes in the wake of the Supreme Court's recent overturning of Roe v. Wade back in June, will officially take effect on September 15.

Abortions will only be legal in some cases of rape and incest, to protect the life and health of the mother, or if the fetus is diagnosed with a "lethal anomaly." They will only be allowed in hospitals or outpatient facilities owned by hospitals, and all abortion clinics will lose their licenses.

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Any doctor who illegally performs the procedure, or fails to report one, will also lose their medical license.

"I am personally most proud of each Hoosier who came forward to courageously share their views in a debate that is unlikely to cease any time soon," Holcomb said in the statement.

"For my part as your governor, I will continue to keep an open ear."

According to the New York Times' abortion law tracker, Indiana will be the 15th state to introduce a total or partial ban on abortion, with another seven either expected to join the list or currently litigating blocks on bans.

Cover photo: Jon Cherry/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/Getty Images via AFP

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