Alabama abortion bill heads to public hearing

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – A bill that seeks to outlaw abortion in Alabama is getting a public hearing in the Legislature.

The House Health Committee will hold a public hearing Wednesday morning on the bill, which would make it a felony to perform an abortion unless the mother’s health is in jeopardy.

A woman would not be charged for having an abortion under the bill.

Such a ban would almost certainly be struck down by courts if approved by lawmakers. Proponents acknowledge that and say they hope to ignite court cases that might prompt the U.S. Supreme Court to revisit its 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision that legalized abortion.

The Alabama legislation comes as other conservative states consider bills that would ban abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected.

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