Iowa judge halts 6-week abortion ban after governor’s recent approval.
Temporary Injunction Blocks Iowa’s Six-Week Abortion Ban
A district court judge has issued a temporary injunction blocking Iowa’s law that bans abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. The legislation, signed by Governor Kim Reynolds, aimed to prohibit the procedure once fetal cardiac activity could be detected, typically around six weeks. However, the -week abortion ban after governor’s recent approval.”>measure faced legal challenges from abortion providers.
The law included exceptions for cases where the mother’s life was in danger, fetal abnormalities that would result in the baby’s death, rapes reported within 45 days, and incest reported within 140 days. Despite its intentions, Polk County District Court Judge Joseph Seidlin’s injunction now allows pregnant women in Iowa to terminate pregnancies up to 20 weeks.
“The court will grant the temporary injunction requested here. In doing so, it recognizes that there are good, honorable, and intelligent people on both sides of this upsetting societal and constitutional dilemma,” Seidlin wrote, according to NBC. “Patience and perseverance are also hallmark traits on both sides, traits that continue to deserve respect.”
Seidlin emphasized the importance of following current Iowa Supreme Court precedent and maintaining the status quo while the litigation progresses. The law explicitly states that it does not impose civil or criminal liability on women who undergo abortions in violation of the division. However, the Iowa Board of Medicine has the authority to determine punishments for abortion providers who violate the law.
The ACLU of Iowa, Planned Parenthood North Central States, and the Emma Goldman Clinic filed a legal challenge before the legislation reached the governor’s desk. During a hearing, Seidlin expressed his commitment to a fair ruling and refrained from making hasty decisions.
Governor Reynolds responded to the judge’s order by vowing to take the fight to the Iowa Supreme Court. She expressed concern for the unborn and criticized the abortion industry’s attempt to undermine the will of Iowans and their elected representatives.
Iowa’s “heartbeat” law is part of a wave of Republican-led state laws that restrict abortion following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in June of last year. Currently, abortion is banned at various stages of pregnancy in over a dozen states, each with different exceptions. Some restrictions in other states are currently on hold due to ongoing legal battles.
Mairead Elordi contributed to this report.
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