An Iowa judge plans to temporarily block the most restrictive abortion law in the country from taking effect next month.
The Iowa bill, signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds last month, bans most abortions once a heartbeat is detected, which is typically at six weeks.
Lawyers for the state and groups challenging the law agreed to a temporary injunction that will prevent implementation of the measure, which was set to go into effect July 1, according to reports.
Planned Parenthood, the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa, and the Emma Goldman Clinic filed a lawsuit in state court challenging the measure, arguing it violates the state’s constitution.
Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller, a Democrat, said his office would not defend the law in court, saying it “would undermine rights and protections for women.”
The state is now being represented by lawyers from the Thomas More Society, a Chicago-based conservative law firm.
Judge Michael Huppert said during the hearing Friday he would issue a temporary injunction later in the day.
