http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0307abortion-southdakota0307.html
New law in South Dakota bans most abortions
Chet Brokaw Associated Press Mar. 7, 2006 12:00 AM
PIERRE, S.D. - Gov. Mike Rounds signed legislation Monday that bans most abortions in South Dakota, a law he acknowledged will be tied up in court for years while the state challenges the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion.
The law makes it a crime for doctors to perform an abortion unless the procedure is necessary to save the woman's life. It makes no exception for cases of rape or incest.
The governor issued a written statement saying he expects a lengthy legal battle over the law, which, he said, will not take effect unless the U.S. Supreme Court upholds it.
"In the history of the world, the true test of a civilization is how well people treat the most vulnerable and most helpless in their society. The sponsors and supporters of this bill believe that abortion is wrong because unborn children are the most vulnerable and most helpless persons in our society. I agree with them," Rounds said in the statement.
The governor declined all media requests for interviews Monday.
The Legislature passed the bill last month after supporters argued that the recent appointment of conservative Justices John Roberts and Samuel Alito have made the Supreme Court more likely to overturn Roe vs. Wade.
Abortion opponents already are offering money to help the state pay legal bills for the anticipated court challenge, Rounds has said. Lawmakers said an anonymous donor has pledged $1 million to defend the ban, and the Legislature set up a special account to accept donations for legal fees.
Some other states are considering similar bans on abortion.
Under the new law, doctors could get up to five years in prison for performing an illegal abortion.
Rounds noted that it was written to make sure existing restrictions will still be enforced during the legal battle. Current state law sets increasingly stringent restrictions on abortions as pregnancy progresses. After the 24th week, the procedure is allowed only to protect the woman's health and safety.
Kate Looby, state director of Planned Parenthood, said the organization has not yet decided whether to challenge the measure in court or to seek a statewide public vote in November. A referendum would either repeal the abortion ban or delay a court challenge to the legislation.
Planned Parenthood runs the state's lone abortion clinic, which performs about 800 abortions each year.