Missouri Senate Passes Bill Banning Abortions on Babies With Beating Hearts

The Missouri Senate passed a major pro-life bill Thursday that would ban abortions after unborn babies have detectable heartbeats.
The Senate approved the bill in a 24-10 vote early Thursday, according to the AP. The bill must return to the state House for a final vote, but it is expected to pass. Republican Gov. Mike Parson supports the legislation.
The pro-life bill provides protections for unborn babies in a wide range of scenarios, while taking into account court rulings like Roe v. Wade that restrict states from protecting the unborn. The bill bans abortions after eight weeks of pregnancy, with exceptions for medical emergencies. Abortionists who violate the measure could be punished with up to 15 years in prison. Women are excluded from prosecution.
It also includes a provision that would completely ban abortions once Roe v. Wade is overturned. Additionally, the bill has measures that would prohibit unborn babies from being aborted up to various limits between 14 weeks and 20 weeks if courts strike down the eight-week ban.
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