North Carolina
North Carolina lawmakers override governor’s veto of 12-week abortion ban
Washington D.C., May 17, 2023 / 12:40 pm
Most abortions will be banned after 12 weeks of pregnancy in North Carolina after Republican lawmakers voted to override Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of the legislation.
There will be exceptions for instances in which the life of the mother is at risk. In cases of rape or incest, abortion will be banned after 20 weeks of pregnancy, and in instances of life-threatening fetal anomalies abortion will be illegal after 24 weeks.
The new law will go into effect July 1, replacing the state’s current law banning abortion at 20 weeks of pregnancy with no exceptions for rape or incest.
“Senate Bill 20 will save lives and provide needed support for women and families while putting North Carolina’s abortion law in line with [most of the] rest of the free world,” House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, said in a statement.