Following the example of South Carolina, Wisconsin and West Virginia, Ohio senators adopted a law on Friday (by 23 votes to 9) banning abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy, the only exception being if the mother’s life is in jeopardy.

Fourteen states have adopted a similar law.  In March, the Ohio Parliament adopted a draft law seeking to ban abortion after six weeks of pregnancy but, as was expected, the Senate rejected it.  Current legislation authorises abortion up to 24 weeks of pregnancy.