LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) – Arkansas senators advanced a proposal Wednesday to ban most abortions if a fetal heartbeat is detected, a move that would ban the procedure as early as six weeks, despite a warning from opponents that it would open the state up to legal challenges.
The Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee endorsed by a voice vote legislation that would require a test to detect a fetal heartbeat before an abortion is performed. If one is detected, a woman could not have an abortion, except in cases of rape, incest and if a mother’s life is in danger.
