A Republican-crafted bill that would place new limits on abortion is out of a Pennsylvania legislative committee days after the amendments to the Abortion Control Act were introduced.
The House Health committee voted 16 to 10 on Monday for the proposal that would prohibit elective abortions after 20 weeks, compared to 24 in current law.
It also would criminalize what it terms "dismemberment abortions," or procedures that cause the deaths of fetuses by removing their body parts.
Those procedures would still be allowed if needed to save the mother's life or prevent major bodily function impairment.
Republicans defeated a bid to delay the committee vote for public hearings. Two Democrats sided with all 14 Republicans voting "yes" on the bill.
It was introduced on Friday and has attracted 101 co-sponsors.
