HONOLULU -- A woman's right to abortion could be protected in Hawaii even if Roe v. Wade were overturned in a bill approved by state lawmakers.

They sent a bill to the governor on Tuesday that they hope will be able to withstand constitutional challenges if the Supreme Court overturned the right to an abortion.

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Lawmakers said there is so much more opposition to abortion nationally since Hawaii's landmark abortion law was approved in 1970 that they want to make sure there are protections in place.

Hawaii lawmakers are worried about South Dakota's governor signing into law a bill to ban almost all abortions. There are 10 other states looking into laws to limit abortions.

With the addition of two new conservative members of the U.S. Supreme Court, some fear abortion rights could be overturned.

After heated debate, state senators passed a bill they said will protect Hawaii's abortion law against legal challenges.

"It is important to keep a woman's right to an abortion, safe, legal and accessible," Democratic Sen. Roz Baker said.

The bill eliminates a residency requirement and makes clear that abortions can be preformed in clinics and doctor's offices.

"It would make Hawaii the abortion capitol of the world. We are known for sewage in our ocean. What other negative thing could we be known for," Republican Sen. Sam Slom said.

Opponents to the bill said it expands current law.

"By allowing abortions to occur in doctors' offices and clinics all the way to birth; as a late an abortion as you want," Republican Sen. Paul Whalen said.

However, clinics that perform abortions said state health regulations already prohibit late-term abortions.

"We are not licensed to do that so he is simply wrong. We cannot do abortions beyond what we are licensed to do," said Annelle Amaral, of Planned Parenthood Hawaii.

Proponents said the bill is critical to insure that the intent of Hawaii's abortion law -- the first in the nation -- not be whittled down.

"I am old enough to remember when women were dying from illegal back alley coat hanger abortions and I certainly don't want to go back to that,"

The abortion bill now goes to the governor's desk. She has 10 days to veto it. Gov. Linda Lingle has been a strong supporter of a woman's choice her entire political career. She is expected to allow the bill to become law.