TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas is close to banning an abortion procedure targeted by a national group and described by abortion opponents as fetus dismemberment. The House gave first-round approval today (WED) to a bill imposing the ban. Its voice vote advances the measure to another, final vote possibly later today (WED). The Senate has already passed the measure, so final House approval would send it to Governor Sam Brownback. He has promised to sign it. The bill outlaws the dilation and evacuation procedure and redefines it as "dismemberment abortion." Doctors could not use forceps or similar instruments on a fetus to remove it from the womb in pieces. The National Right to Life Committee drafted the measure as model legislation for states. The bill's critics say lawmakers should not interfere in medical decisions.
