TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas House committee has approved a proposed ban on a procedure described by abortion opponents as dismembering a fetus.

But the Federal and State Affairs Committee’s voice vote Wednesday to advance the measure came after abortion rights supporters on the panel forced anti-abortion lawmakers to vote down a broader proposal.

The alternative would have banned most abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected early in pregnancy.

The bill advanced by the committee outlaws the dilation and evacuation procedure and prohibit doctors from using forceps or similar instruments on a fetus to remove it from the womb in pieces.

The National Right to Life Committee drafted the measure as model legislation for states. It and some anti-abortion groups want to avoid broader measures th

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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas House committee is preparing to debate a proposed ban on an abortion procedure targeted by a national group and described as dismembering a fetus.

The Federal and State Affairs Committee was expected to vote Wednesday on whether to send a bill imposing the ban to the full House for further debate.

The measure passed the Senate last month.

The bill outlaws the dilation and evacuation procedure and redefines it as “dismemberment abortion.” Doctors could not use forceps or similar instruments on a fetus to remove it from the womb in pieces.

Abortion rights supporters say it’s sometimes the safest procedure for a woman.

The National Right to Life Committee drafted the measure as model legislation for states.

The procedure is used in about 8 percent of Kansas abortions.