Indiana has adopted a near-total ban on abortions, becoming the first state to approve new laws restricting reproductive rights since the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade in June.  Photo: ACLU Indiana

Indianapolis, August 8 (RHC)-- The U.S. state of Indiana has adopted a near-total ban on abortions, becoming the first state to approve new laws restricting reproductive rights since the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade in June. 

Indiana’s Republican governor signed the abortion ban just minutes after the Republican-dominated Senate approved the legislation.  It’s set to take effect on September 15th. 

The new law outlaws abortions at the moment of conception, with exceptions only in cases of rape, incest or medical emergency.  Those providing abortion care face a $10,000 fine and up to six years in prison. 

The new law has drawn fire from Indiana’s Chamber of Commerce and some of the state’s largest employers.  Over the weekend, a spokesperson for Eli Lilly condemned the abortion ban and said in response the pharmaceutical giant was looking to expand its operations outside of Indiana.