A bill that would add an additional restriction on women seeking an abortion won approval in a state House committee yesterday.

The measure would prohibit abortions on fetuses older than 20 weeks.

Supporters of the legislation, including author sate Rep. Pam Peterson, say the restriction is needed because pain could be felt by a fetus at the 20-week stage. But opponents of the bill say the science is not clear.

The bill exempts women whose life or health is threatened.

But physician and state Representative Doug Cox of Grove says this legislation could force a woman to continue carrying a fetus with a lethal defect that will die shortly after birth.

Kansas lawmakers considered a similar proposal this week. Both laws are based on one passed in Nebraska that has not seen a court challenge.

The bills are considered a new approach to challenging the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in the Roe versus Wade case that made abortion legal in the nation.