Judge agrees to halt heartbeat abortion law in Iowa

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa judge agreed Friday to temporarily block the most restrictive abortion law in the United States under an agreement between the state and abortion rights groups.

Attorneys for the state and Republican Governor Kim Reynolds told the judge they agreed to prevent the law from taking effect on July 1 after discussions with three groups challenging the law: the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa, Planned Parenthood Federation of American and the Emma Goldman Clinic.

The groups are suing the state, arguing that the law — which bans most abortions if a fetal heartbeat can be detected — is unconstitutional.

An attorney representing the state said Friday that the goal now is to quickly get the case before a judge “for the sake of getting to a resolution on the merits sooner and better.”

“This is a much better outcome for women than having to spend the next few weeks worrying about whether or not they’re going to be able to exercise their fundamental right to have a safe and legal abortion in Iowa,” said Rita Bettis, ACLU of Iowa attorney.

Judge Michael Huppert said he would formally issue a temporary injunction later Friday.

The injunction means the law won’t go into effect until the lawsuit is resolved, which could take months.

Both sides have said they want the case to go to the Iowa Supreme Court — though anti-abortion rights groups are aiming for the U.S. Supreme Court.

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