RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A bill that would ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, with few exceptions, has been introduced to the Virginia House of Delegates.
The Staunton News Leader reports the bill is known as the "Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act," or HB 1473, and will make its way to the House floor in January.
The law allows for an exception if the life of the mother is at risk, or if there is "serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function.
Violation of the law would be considered a Class 4 felony. The bill also provides for "civil remedies" against physicians should they perform abortions in violation of the act.
