Indiana lawmakers vote to advance abortion ban

Indiana lawmakers voted narrowly on Tuesday to advance a bill banning most abortions in the state, The Associated Press reported.

The bill, which is being debated as part of a special legislative session called by Gov. Eric Holcomb (R), "would prohibit abortions from the time a fertilized egg implants in a uterus with limited exceptions" for rape, incest, and the life of the mother, AP explains.

The state Senate's Rules and Legislative Procedures Committee voted 7-5 to advance the proposal, which could be further amended before the full Senate on Thursday, after adding the restrictions and criminal penalties for abortion doctors.

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Indiana's abortion laws made national news earlier this month when it was reported that a 10-year-old Ohio girl traveled to Indiana to obtain an abortion for a pregnancy that resulted from rape. Ohio bans abortion after about six weeks with no exceptions for rape and incest, while Indiana currently allows the procedure through 22 weeks.