Maine growth of abortion legal guidelines, which might be among the many nation’s broadest, passes committee

AUGUSTA, Maine — A committee of the Maine Legislature signed off Friday on a proposal from Democratic Gov. Janet Mills that will give the state one of many least restrictive abortion legal guidelines within the nation.

Maine’s present legal guidelines enable abortions till a fetus turns into viable, which is usually thought of to be about 24 weeks. The governor’s proposal would change state legislation to permit abortion after fetal viability if it’s deemed crucial by a doctor.

The Democrats management the state Legislature and its committees, and used that benefit to go the invoice by way of a judiciary committee. The measure may make it to the Maine House of Representatives as quickly as subsequent week.

The measure is prone to go the total Maine Legislature, however has encountered heavy resistance from conservative lawmakers and residents, and Christian teams within the state.

The Maine Medical Association testified in assist of the legislation change, and stated in its testimony that “it is extremely unlikely that the bill as written will result in terminations of late pregnancies that are viable.”