Missouri lawmakers approve late-term abortion ban

[JURIST] The Missouri House of Representatives [official website] on Thursday gave final approval [press release] to legislation [HB 213 materials] that would ban abortions [JURIST news archive] after 20 weeks of pregnancy. The measure, passed by a vote of 121-33, would impose penalties on doctors who fail to comply with the new restrictions. It would provide some exceptions, permitting abortions of viable fetuses only when the woman’s life is endangered by a physical illness or disability, or when continued pregnancy…