JACKSON — A bill awaiting the governor’s signature would ban a practice its opponents call “webcam abortions.”

Senate Bill 2795 requires an abortion provider to be physically present during chemical abortions and disallows for a practice in which the physician could watch a patient take an abortion-inducing chemical via Internet webcam.

“Good medical practice dictates that a doctor should be physically present when a woman undergoes an abortion,” Mississippi Right to Life President Barbara Whitehead said. “ This bill will help protect women’s health and save unborn babies’ lives.”

The legislation passed the House, where it was first cleared by the Public Health Committee, which is chaired by Rep. Sam Mims (R-McComb).