The U.S state of Alabama is one signature away from enacting a near-total ban on abortions after the state Senate passed a controversial bill that makes performing the procedure a felony offense.

Under the Human Life Protection Act, doctors who perform an abortion at any stage of pregnancy could face a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison. The only exception in the legislation is in cases where the life of the pregnant woman is at risk.

The bill passed on Tuesday, 25 to 6.

Before the vote, the Republican-controlled Senate rejected an amendment that would have allowed abortions for pregnancies caused by rape and incest.

The Alabama House passed the same bill late last month. If Gov. Kay Ivey (R) signs it into law she has not publicly made up her mind it would become effective within six months.

Women in this state didnt deserve this, said Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton in a fiery speech on Tuesday evening. The state of Alabama ought to be ashamed of itself.