BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Senators have agreed to prohibit abortions performed because the fetus is determined to have a genetic abnormality.

They rejected concerns such a ban would lead Louisiana to a court battle it cannot win.

Republican Sen. Dan Claitor usually votes for bills adding new restrictions on abortion. But on Thursday, the Baton Rouge lawyer said he couldn't vote for the proposal up for debate, saying it clearly runs afoul of court decisions upholding a woman's right to an abortion.

Democratic Rep. Regina Barrow, of Baton Rouge, defended the bill as protecting "the life of unborn children." She said anything lawmakers pass could end up in court.

The Senate voted 29-6 for the House-backed bill. It heads back to the House for consideration of minor Senate changes.

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House Bills 1019: www.legis.la.gov

 

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