MONTGOMERY—Governor Robert Bentley has signed into law a pro-life bill that bans anyone from performing an abortion at 20 weeks, unless it is needed to save the life of the mother or avoid her death. The Alabama Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act passed the Alabama Legislature on June 9, 2011, the last day of the Regular Session, and was signed into law by Governor Bentley today.

"I believe that life begins at conception and I signed this bill to further commit my promise to protect the life of an unborn child," said Governor Robert Bentley.

The law goes into effect on September 1, 2011.