The bill passed by the state assembly includes a number of exceptions — capping abortions at 20 weeks in cases of rape or incest and 24 weeks for “life-limiting” fetal anomalies, including certain physical or genetic disorders that can be diagnosed prenatally. An existing exception for when the life of the pregnant woman is in danger would remain.
But the bill also bans medication abortions after 10 weeks and requires three in-person appointments days apart for anyone seeking a medical abortion. It also imposes new regulations and licensing requirements that could cause the closure of some of the state’s 16 abortion clinics. Seven of those provide abortions.
Rallies to sustain Gov. Cooper’s planned veto will fan the state Saturday. In addition to the main one in downtown Raleigh, the state capital, rallies are planned in Asheville, Cary, Boone, Greensboro and Wilmington.
RELATED: Poll: Support for abortion rights is strong, even among most religious groups
This article originally appeared on ReligionNews.com.
 to denounce a bill approved earlier this month that bans abortion after 12 weeks of pregnancy, and to say, in effect, "not in my name."){kind=link}