North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum signs six-week abortion ban.
The newest law is considered to be one of the strictest bans in the United States.
The law would only allow termination of pregnancy up to six weeks and only in cases of rape, incest, or medical emergencies.
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum signed one of the strictest abortion bans in the United States on Monday, following the fall of Roe v. Wade last year at the hands of the Supreme Court.
Burgum's latest anti-abortion law would criminalize the conduct of the procedure throughout pregnancy, only providing a slim exception of up to six weeks of gestation. In these early weeks of a woman's pregnancy, abortion would only be considered legal in cases of rape, incest, or medical emergency, including ectopic pregnancy.
North Dakota Passes Near-Total Abortion Ban
In a statement, Burgum said that his newest bill would clarify and refine existing state law while also reaffirming the state's stance as a pro-life region. The situation follows the domino effect of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which provided Constitutional rights for women who want to get abortions, as per the Associated Press.
Many state laws that sought to ban or restrict abortion were met with legal challenges from pro-abortion groups and entities. Now, there are bans on abortion at all stages of pregnancy implemented in at least 13 states. In others, the bans are on hold amid ongoing court injunctions.
Democratic governors in at least 20 states have launched a joint network to bolster abortion access following the fall of Roe v. Wade. The Supreme Court's decision shifted regulatory powers regarding the procedure over to state governments.
North Dakota's newest law is set to take effect immediately. However, the Supreme Court last month ruled that a previous ban was to remain blocked while waiting for a lawsuit over its constitutionality proceeds.
Prior to Burgum's new anti-abortion law, the procedure was allowed in the state for up to 22 weeks of a woman's pregnancy. The previous ban also criminalized abortion providers who were threatened with felony prosecution, according to the New York Times.
Potential Consequences for Women and Girls
Furthermore, the providers would have to offer an "affirmative" defense to prove that the abortion procedure they conducted was medically necessary within the confines of the state law. But under Burgum's revised law, the exceptions would not require an affirmative defense from providers.
However, it would still hand out criminal charges to providers if they are found to have violated the exceptions that were detailed in the law. The law now makes North Dakota at least the 14th state with an active ban on nearly all abortions. But experts argued that it is likely to face legal challenges from pro-abortion groups.
While supporters of Gov. Burgum's newest law have argued that it works to protect all human life, many who oppose it have argued that it would result in dire consequences for women and girls. Republican Sen. Janne Myrdal was the sponsor of the bill, said Politico.
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