St. Petersburg’s Legislative Assembly has approved a bill banning the inducement of women to undergo abortions. The bill passed its third reading on June 11, with a majority of deputies voting in favor.

The new law prohibits actions that encourage abortion through persuasion, offers, bribery, or deception. Deputies from the United Russia faction, including Konstantin Chebykin, Anton Solovyov, and Vsevolod Belikov, drafted the legislation. The bill’s explanatory note states its purpose is to strengthen family and motherhood and to increase the birth rate.

Violators of the law will face administrative fines. Citizens could be fined between three thousand and five thousand rubles. Officials could be fined from 10 thousand to 20 thousand rubles. Legal entities could be fined from 30 thousand to 50 thousand rubles.

The law applies regardless of whether an abortion is ultimately performed.