March 6th Update: South Dakota's governor today signed into law a ban on abortion in that state. The governor said that he expects that the law will be disputed in court and would not be allowed to take effect in July, as had been planned.
Both houses of the South Dakota legislature passed HB 1215 on February 22nd, agreeing to ban abortion in that state. The law does not make exceptions for women who seek abortions due to rape, incest, or threats to their health. The Senate decided after debate that the only abortions that would be allowed in South Dakota would be those that are needed to save a woman's life. Also rejected was an effort to allow South Dakotans to decide the question in a referendum, and an effort to prevent state tax dollars from financing what is certain to be a long and expensive court battle. The bill now goes to anti-choice Governor Mike Rounds, who will have 15 days to make his decision about signing.

Tennessee faces similar legislation this week: Tennessee IMC coverage

Read more on Indybay's Women's News Page