US | North Dakota N. Dakota Bans Abortions If There's a Heartbeat Gov. Jack Dalrymple signs bill By Newser Editors and Wire Services Posted Mar 26, 2013 11:26 AM CDT Copied Gov. Jack Dalrymple delivers the State of the State Address at the Capitol in Bismarck, ND, on Tuesday Jan. 8, 2013. (AP Photo/Will Kincaid) North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple has signed legislation that would ban most abortions if a fetal heartbeat can be detected, something that can happen as early as six weeks into a pregnancy. The Republican governor also signed into law another measure that would makes North Dakota the first to ban abortions based on genetic defects such as Down syndrome. Abortion-rights advocates say the measures signed today are an attempt to close the state's sole abortion clinic in Fargo. Supporters of the so-called fetal heartbeat measure say it's a challenge to the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion up until a fetus is considered viable, usually at 22 to 24 weeks. Abortion-rights advocates say the state will have to defend the legislation in a costly legal fight. Read These Next White House rolls with Trump's 'daddy' nickname. New Fox star, 23, misses first day after car troubles. Gavin Newsom has filed a massive lawsuit against Fox News. Supreme Court ruling is a big blow to Planned Parenthood. Report an error