Anti-Abortion Law Passes in Louisiana
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

The State Senate gave final approval to a strict abortion ban, and Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco was expected to sign the measure. The bill would ban nearly all abortions in the state, but it would take effect only if the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade, the ruling establishing a constitutional right to abortion, or if the Constitution was amended to allow states to ban abortion. Under the measure, doctors found guilty of performing abortions would face up to 10 years in prison and fines of $100,000. Originally, the bill would have allowed abortions only to save the life of the pregnant woman. The House added a provision to allow abortions in cases involving permanent harm to the woman's health.