Senate passes amended abortion bill | News

ATLANTA -- The Georgia Senate eased the restrictions on a bill that would ban most women from getting an abortion five months into a pregnancy, possibly setting off a conflict with House lawmakers.

Senate legislators voted 36-19 on Monday to pass a revised version of a bill that would generally ban abortions five months after conception. The original bill made exceptions for pregnancies that threaten the life or health of the mother.

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In a major change, Senate lawmakers added another exception so women could seek an abortion after the 20-week mark if a doctor diagnoses a fetus with a condition "incompatible with life."

The revised bill now heads back the House for approval. Republican Rep. Doug McKillip, the bill sponsor, said he was not ready to decide whether he supported the changes.