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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A bill to prohibit abortions performed after 20 weeks post-conception has moved forward in the West Virginia Judiciary Committee and will be heard on the Senate floor later this week.
The bill states that abortions after 20 weeks may only be performed if a doctor deems a patient's life is at risk or she is at risk of serious physical impairment.
The committee amended the bill Thursday to allow termination if a fetus isn't medically viable, but doctors must provide the best opportunity for fetuses to survive after 20 week post-fertilization.
Doctors, who could be fined up to $4,000 if they violate the law, told the committee the law may cause delay in a woman's care.
Most physicians consider fetuses 24 weeks after a woman's last period to be viable.
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