MADISON -- A Wisconsin Senate committee has advanced a bill that would ban non-emergency abortion procedures after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
In a meeting Thursday, the Senate Health Committee approved the fast-tracked bill on a 3-2 party-line vote with Republicans in support.
Under the proposal, doctors who perform an abortion after 20 weeks in non-emergency situations could be charged with a felony and subject to $10,000 in fines or 3 ½ years in prison.
Senate leaders have said the full Senate will vote to pass it Tuesday.
The bill's supporters say a 20-week-old fetus can feel pain and shouldn't be subject to abortion procedures.
Opponents contend that a fetus can't experience pain until the third trimester begins at 27 weeks.
Gov. Scott Walker has said he would sign the bill.