Republican Gov. Mike Pence has signed a bill making Indiana the second state to ban abortions because of fetal genetic abnormalities such as Down Syndrome. The governor's office says Pence signed the measure Thursday, just hours ahead of his deadline to take action on the bill passed by the Republican-dominated Legislature. The new law takes effect in July.

The bill prohibits abortions performed solely because of the fetus' gender, race, or ancestry or a potential diagnosis of a disability such as Down Syndrome. The legislation also requires the remains be interred or cremated, whether they are the result of an abortion or a miscarriage.



The bill has drawn backlash from medical professionals and several female Republican members of the Indiana Legislature who say it goes too far in telling women what they can and cannot do.



North Dakota adopted similar restrictions in 2013.



Learn more about the bill here.