BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Senate passed a bill that would outlaw nearly all abortions in the state by banning them once fetal cardiac activity can be detected.
The so-called "fetal heartbeat" bill passed Tuesday 28-7 on a party-line vote.
Bill sponsor Sen. Patti Anne Lodge, a Republican from Huston, said a fetal heartbeat is a sign that life exists and that she believes the state has a compelling interest in protecting that life.
Cardiac activity can be detected as early as six weeks, before many women discover they are pregnant.
The bill now goes to the House.
