Iowa Supreme Court likely to rule on 72-hour abortion restriction
Thu., June 28, 2018
Iowa Supreme Court likely to rule on 72-hour abortion restriction
Waiting period required by Branstad-era law; 'heartbeat' restriction remains blocked
The Iowa Supreme Court is expected to decide on Friday if the law requiring women seeking abortion services undergo a 72-hour waiting period is unconstitutional, the court announced Thursday.
The court is expected to file its opinion on the lawsuit filed by the Planned Parenthood of the Heartland and the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa against the state.
The suit contends the law that requires a waiting period before obtaining an abortion at any stage in the pregnancy is unconstitutional as it places an undue burden on women that could prevent them from obtaining the medical procedure.
The law, signed by then-Gov. Terry Branstad in May 2017, also requires an appointment before the 72-hour waiting period to view an ultrasound, review options and have the option to hear a description of the fetus.