The North Dakota legislature has passed a bill that would ban abortions in the event that the US Supreme Court rules that such laws are constitutional. The bill, which passed the House 68-24 and the Senate 29-16, will now await Governor John Hoeven’s (R) approval.
If Governor Hoeven signs the bill and the Supreme Court overturns its decision in Roe v. Wade, the law would make it a crime for doctors to perform abortions in North Dakota, threatening up to a $5,000 fine and five years in prison. The final version of the bill included exceptions to prevent the death of a pregnant woman and in cases of rape or incest. There is no exception for the health of a woman.
Mississippi was the first state to pass such a law in March. North Dakota is the only other state in the country to take similar action.
