Missouri Governor Mike Parson has signed a bill that bans abortions on or beyond the eighth week of pregnancy without exceptions for cases of rape or incest, making it among the most restrictive abortion policies in the nation.
Protests in support of abortion rights have been taking place across the US. Source: AAP
It comes as a federal judge on Friday blocked a Mississippi law that bans abortion after the detection of a fetal heartbeat, as early as six weeks into pregnancy, CNN reports.
Judge Carlton Reeves said the law, which was due to come into effect in July, said the law "threatens immediate harm to women's rights, especially considering most women do not seek abortion services until after six weeks".
In Missouri, under the law that comes into force August 28, doctors who violate the eight-week cut-off could face five to 15 years in prison. Women who terminate their pregnancies cannot be prosecuted. A legal challenge is expected, although it's unclear when that might occur.
The measure includes exceptions for medical emergencies, such as when there is a risk of death or permanent physical injuries to "a major bodily function of the pregnant woman".
But the lack of exceptions women who find themselves pregnant after being raped or subjected to incest has drawn sharp criticism, including from wealthy GOP donor David Humphreys, a Missouri businessman, who had urged the Republican governor to veto the bill and called it "bad public policy".
Mr Parson defended the lack of exceptions as he spoke to a group of abortion opponents gathered on Friday for the bill signing in his Capitol office.
"Is it a terrible thing that happens in those situations? Yes it is. ... But the reality of it is bad things do happen sometimes. But you have two months to decide what you're going to do with that issue, and I believe in two months you can make a decision," he said.
Meanwhile, a federal lawsuit is asking a judge to block an Alabama law that outlaws almost all abortions, the most far-reaching attempt by a conservative state to seek new restrictions on the procedure.
The American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood filed the lawsuit filed on Friday on behalf of abortion providers seeking to overturn the Alabama law that would make performing an abortion at any stage of pregnancy a felony punishable by up to 99 years or life in prison for the abortion provider. The only exception would be when the woman's health is at serious risk.
The law is set to take effect in November unless blocked by a judge.
"Make no mistake: Abortion remains - and will remain - safe and legal in Alabama. With this lawsuit, we are seeking a court order to make sure this law never takes effect," said Randall Marshall, executive director of the ACLU of Alabama.
The lawsuit says the Alabama law to criminalise abortion is clearly unconstitutional and would harm women by forcing them to continue pregnancies against their will.
"For over 46 years - since the Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade - US law has recognised the fundamental constitutional right to make the profoundly important and personal decision whether or not to terminate a pregnancy," the lawsuit reads.
The Alabama law, the most restrictive in the country, goes against the landmark 1973 US Supreme Court ruling Roe v Wade that made abortion legal nationwide, but the text's sponsors say it's an effort to get the top court to revisit its decision.
Several other Republican-led states have also passed tough abortion laws they hope will eventually end up before the Supreme Court in hopes it will reverse Roe v Wade
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