Kansas abortion rights activists say a proposal to ban a specific abortion procedure could end up establishing broader restrictions.

The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee conducted a hearing Monday on a bill that would ban the procedure known as dilation and evacuation. Kansas already bans most abortions at or after the 22nd week of pregnancy. The new measure could prevent some pregnancies from being terminated earlier.

Kathy Ostrowski of Kansans for Life told the committee the procedure was cruel to the fetus and should be banned.

Julie Burkhart of the Trust Women Foundation said the ban would endanger women’s health and lead to additional costs due to legal challenges.

Republican Gov. Sam Brownback has said that he would sign the bill if it passed.