Mississippi imposes 15-week abortion ban

JACKSON, MISS.

Mississippi’s governor signed the nation’s most restrictive abortion law Monday – and was slapped with a lawsuit less than an hour later.

The law and responding challenge set up a confrontation sought by abortion opponents, who are hoping federal courts will ultimately prohibit abortions before a fetus is viable. Current federal law does not.

Republican Gov. Phil Bryant signed House Bill 1510 , which bans most abortions after 15 weeks of gestation, in a closed ceremony attended by legislative supporters and abortion opponents.