LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) A federal judge blocked three new abortion restrictions from taking effect today in Arkansas, including a measure that opponents say would likely force the states only surgical abortion clinic to close.
U.S. District Judge Kristine Baker granted a 14-day temporary restraining order shortly before midnight Tuesday. The 159-page order blocks the state from enforcing the new laws, including a measure prohibiting the procedure 18 weeks into a womans pregnancy. They also included a requirement that doctors performing abortions be board-certified or board-eligible in obstetrics and gynecology. An official with a Little Rock clinic that performs surgical abortions says it has one physician who meets that requirement, but he only works there a few days every other month.
Baker also blocked a law prohibiting doctors from performing an abortion if its being sought because the fetus was diagnosed with Down Syndrome.
The laws are being challenged by Little Rock Family Planning Services, the states only surgical abortion clinic, and Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood only offers medication-induced abortions at its Arkansas facilities. Planned Parenthood earlier this month stopped providing medication-induced abortions at its Fayetteville facility while it looks for a new location, but is still providing the procedure at its Little Rock center.
Several states have laws banning abortion for genetic anomalies including Down syndrome, but North Dakotas is the only that is in effect. The others are also tied up in legal challenges.
The laws are among several new restrictions approved by the majority-Republican Legislature in Arkansas this year.
Another law not challenged thats taking effect Wednesday increases the waiting period before a woman can get an abortion from 48 hours to 72 hours.
