Jul 22, 2024

Iowa's six-week abortion law remains in legal limbo

Posted Jul 22, 2024 5:25 PM

(Radio Iowa) - There's an unresolved legal challenge to the law that would ban most abortions in Iowa -- and Planned Parenthood clinics in Iowa will continue to provide abortions up to the 20th week of a pregnancy.

The Iowa Supreme Court ruled on June 28th that a six-week abortion ban is legal under Iowa's constitution, but the A-C-L-U of Iowa has filed a petition asking the justices to rehear the case. The district court judge who would lift the injunction that's blocked the law from taking effect cannot act until that matter is resolved.

Ruth Richardson of Planned Parenthood of North Central States says the situation is temporary relief. She says once the ban on nearly all abortions takes effect, Planned Parenthood has developed plans to help patients get out of state abortions if their pregnancy is beyond that early window.