Republican lawmakers in New Mexico have filed bills to ban late-term abortions and to require minors' parents to be notified within 48 hours before terminating a pregnancy. The bills filed Friday come less than a month after Roman Catholic bishops urged lawmakers to enact new abortion laws this legislative session with the GOP in control of the House for the first time in decades. Democrats remain in control of the Senate.
Several Democrats also have signed on to support the bills.
The House Republican leadership says the late-term abortion ban is designed to bring New Mexico in line with 42 other states by restricting abortions after five months.
Both pieces of legislation include exceptions in cases of rape, incest, sexual abuse and when the woman's life is in danger.
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