The Louisiana Senate passed first-of-its-kind legislation Thursday that will classify abortion pills as dangerous controlled substances, meaning people in possession of the pills without a prescription could face jail time and fines.
The legislation would classify mifepristone and misoprostol as Schedule IV drugs, similar to Xanax ... [+]
The bill, which would designate mifepristone and misoprostol—which are commonly used as abortion bills but are also used for miscarriages and to prevent ulcers—as controlled dangerous substances, passed the Republican-controlled Senate 29-7 on Thursday.
The legislation—which passed the Louisiana House of Representatives earlier this week—will now go to the desk of Republican Gov. Jeff Landry, who is expected to sign it into law.
People in possession of the abortion pills with no prescription, except for pregnant people who have it for themselves, could face up to five years in prison and a fine up to $5,000, according to the bill.
Currently, Louisiana has a near-total ban on abortions.
This is a breaking story and will be updated.