Maine will have some of the least restrictive abortion laws in U.S. after final vote on...

Democrats in the Maine Legislature on Thursday passed a contentious proposal expanding abortion access to later in a pregnancy, a move that will give Maine some of the least restrictive abortion laws in the country.

Abortions in Maine are currently only allowed after around 24 weeks of gestation to protect the life or health of the mother. While 19 states allow post-viability abortions, most do so to protect the mother or in cases of rape or incest. The proposal from Gov. Janet Mills would allow the procedure whenever a doctor deems it medically necessary.