North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (R) signed one of the country’s strictest anti-abortion law on Monday, banning the procedure after 6-weeks even in cases of rape or incest, according to the Associated Press.
The law, which makes it a class C felony for doctors to perform an abortion, allows for some exceptions to save the life of the mother. Victims of rape and incest must carry their pregnancies to term unless “the probable gestational age of the unborn child is six weeks or less,” the bill states.
“This bill clarifies and refines existing state law which was triggered into effect by the (U.S. Supreme Court) Dobbs decision and reaffirms North Dakota as a pro-life state,” Burgum said in a statement.
The law is designed to take effect immediately, but last month the state Supreme Court ruled a state abortion ban will remain blocked while a lawsuit over its constitutionality proceeds, AP reported.
This latest bill passed both chambers of the North Dakota legislature with veto-proof majorities last week as Republicans say they’re sending a message to the state’s high court signaling that the people of North Dakota want to restrict abortion.
“North Dakota has always been pro-life and believed in valuing the moms and children both,” Sen. Janne Myrdal the Republican who sponsored the bill said in an interview. “We’re pretty happy and grateful that the governor stands with that value.”
However, opponents expect this new law to face legal challenges and Republicans face political pushback.
“I don’t think women in North Dakota are going to accept this, and there will be action in the future to get our rights back,” Democratic Rep. Liz Conmy said. “Our Legislature is overwhelmingly pro-pregnancy, but I think women in the state would like to make their own decisions.”
