South Carolina lawmakers on Tuesday approved a bill [H 3114 materials] that would ban abortions at 20 weeks or later. The House of Representatives voted 79-29 in favor of the bill, which does not contain exceptions for rape or incest. Proponents claim the bill is necessary because there is evidence to suggest that fetuses can feel pain [NYT report] at 20 weeks. Opponents note that abortions in the second half of pregnancy are rare, contending that this bill poses a “danger” to women. The bill now goes to Governor Nicki Haley, who has indicated her support for the legislation.

Abortion remains controversial across the US, with state legislatures continuing to pass various regulations. If approved, the bill would make South Carolina the seventeenth US state to ban abortions at 20 weeks. Earlier this week the Louisiana state Senate approved a bill banning [JURIST report] dilation and evacuation abortion procedures. In March Utah became the first state to require doctors to administer anesthesia [JURIST report] to women receiving an abortion after 20 weeks. Also in March the US Supreme Court heard arguments [JURIST report] on a Texas law that would require abortion clinics to upgrade facilities to hospital-like standards and would require doctors to have admitting privileges at local hospitals.