The state Assembly has voted for legislation to codify in New York the abortion rights established by the U.S. Supreme Court, moving it separately this year from a group of bills intended to ensure other women's rights.
New York established abortion rights for women in 1970, three years before the top court did it nationally in Roe v. Wade.
Both allow terminating a pregnancy in the first 24 weeks, but while New York's law allows later-term abortions to protect a woman's life, the Supreme Court says it can be done also to protect her health.
The Assembly measure, passed 95-51, faces opposition among Senate majority Republicans who have refused to advance it while approving other bills meant to ensure equal pay and prohibit gender discrimination.
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