La. House approves ban on abortion procedures

Doug Simpson reports for the Associated Press:

The state House unanimously approved a ban on a late-term abortion procedure Thursday, even though a federal ban already exists.

Rep. Gary Beard's bill would create criminal penalties for doctors who perform the so-called "partial-birth" abortions: fines of between $1,000 and $10,000, and jail terms of between one and 10 years.

"This is a crime of violence committed against children just minutes from their birth," said Beard, R-Baton Rouge.