On Monday, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum signed legislation limiting abortion to the first six weeks of pregnancy just days after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis did the same. Only, unlike Florida’s new 6-week abortion limit, North Dakota’s new law does not allow exceptions for rape or incest, CBS News reported.
In a statement marking the bill’s signing, Governor Burgum said the measure “clarifies and refines” existing law in the state and “reaffirms” that North Dakota is pro-life
With the governor’s signature, the law takes effect immediately.
Burgum’s signature came just days after the North Dakota State Senate overwhelmingly passed the measure in a 42 to 5 vote.
Republican state Senator Judy Lee opposed the bill due to the lack of an exemption for rape or incest. During debate on the measure, Lee cited a recent email she received about two 10-year-old foster children who were both victims of incest. Lee argued that no child that young should be denied “a reasonable conversation” with her parents and a doctor about whether abortion is the right decision. She said while she opposes abortion as a method of birth control, she said exemptions “are there for a reason.”
Earlier this month, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Heartbeat Protection Act, which restricts most abortions after a heartbeat is detected, usually at 6 weeks.
Under Florida’s new law, doctors are barred from knowingly performing abortions after 6 weeks, except in cases of incest, rape, or human trafficking.
The new law will also limit the dispensing of abortion pills to a doctor, prohibiting the drugs to be dispensed through the US Mail or other shipping services.
In addition to limiting abortion to the first 6 weeks, the Florida law will also increase the amount of funding the state provides to pregnancy centers that offer free pregnancy tests, medical exams, ultrasounds, counseling, and parenting classes, as well as a wide range of resources including clothes, diapers, and food.
