Haley Ceremoniously Re-Signing Anti-Abortion Law

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – Gov. Nikki Haley is ceremoniously signing a law that bans most abortions in South Carolina at 20 weeks beyond fertilization.

Supporters are celebrating the law Wednesday at a Christian school in Greenville County that caters to children with disabilities. The law took effect with the governor’s signature two weeks ago.

The ban’s only exceptions are if mother’s life is in jeopardy or a doctor determines the fetus cannot survive outside the womb. Its definition of “fetal anomaly” makes it illegal to abort a fetus with a severe disability if the child could live. Such anomalies are generally detected around 20 weeks.

Supporters cite the disputed claim that a fetus can feel pain at 20 weeks. Opponents say later-term abortions usually happen with wanted pregnancies that go horribly wrong.