By Arleigh Rodgers
Associated Press
Indiana on Friday became the first state in the nation to pass abortion restrictions since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v.
Wade., after the state's governor, a Republican, quickly signed a near-total ban on the procedure shortly after lawmakers approved it.
The ban, which goes into effect on September 12, includes some exceptions.
The state will allow abortions in cases of rape and incest (before 10 weeks after fertilization), when the life and physical health of the mother are in danger, or if the fetus is diagnosed with a lethal abnormality.
Victims of rape and incest will not be required to sign an affidavit before a notary attesting to an attack, something that had been proposed in the Senate.
Pro-abortion rights protesters fill the halls of the Indiana State Capitol on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022.Arleigh Rodgers/AP
Under the new law, abortions can only be performed in hospitals or outpatient centers that are owned by hospitals, meaning all abortion clinics will lose their licenses.
A doctor who performs an illegal abortion or fails to file the required reports may also lose his or her medical license.
"I am personally so proud of every Indiana resident who came forward to bravely share their views in a debate that is unlikely to end anytime soon," Gov. Eric Holcomb said in the statement announcing he had signed the measure.
"For my part, as your governor, I will remain vigilant."
The governor signed the legislation after the Indiana Senate approved the ban following a 28-19 vote, and a previous 62-38 vote in the House of Representatives.
Indiana was one of the first Republican-led state legislatures to consider stricter abortion laws following the June Supreme Court ruling that stripped away constitutional protections for these procedures.
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The news comes amid a changing landscape on abortion access across the country, as Republicans grapple with some divisions within the party and Democrats see potential momentum in the election year.
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The representative who sponsored the bill, Republican Wendy McNamara of Evansville, told reporters after the House vote that the legislation
"makes Indiana one of the most pro-life states in the nation."
Outside the House, cries from abortion-rights activists often overshadowed interventions by lawmakers.
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Indiana lawmakers heard hours of testimony over the past two weeks where residents showed scant support for the legislation.
Abortion rights supporters said the bill is excessive, while
anti-abortion activists argued the opposite.
The House of Representatives rejected a Democratic proposal to include the question “Should abortion remain legal in Indiana?”
on the November statewide ballot.
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Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston told reporters that if residents are unhappy, they can vote for new lawmakers.
"Ultimately, it's up to the Senate,"
he added.
“Voters have a chance to vote, and if they are unhappy, they will have a chance both in November and in future years.”
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Indiana's new legislation comes after the political firestorm that caused the near death of a 10-year-old rape victim who had to travel to the state from neighboring Ohio to terminate her pregnancy.