The state of North Carolina formally enacted the ban on abortion after 12 weeks of pregnancy, thus reducing its limit, which was 20 weeks.
The judge issued the ruling that allowed most of the ban to take effect, with the exception of a rule that would have required doctors who prescribe medical abortion to document the pregnancy in their medical records, according to the order. The temporary restraining order will remain in effect until July 14, while the litigation continues, ABC News reported.
Similarly, another provision requiring sexual assault survivors to obtain an abortion at a hospital after 12 weeks of pregnancy will not go into effect until October 1, according to Planned Parenthood.
In response to the lawsuit, the legislature for a bill that clarifies some provisions is at the center of the lawsuit. This includes allowing abortion pills to be prescribed beyond the 10-week limit that the ban originally set, and providers not being able to be prosecuted for performing legal abortions.
“Our legal challenge forced General Assembly leaders to clean up the mess of a bill, but we never should have had to sue to get clarity on how to comply with this law. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic remains committed to providing abortion services to as many people as possible within the unfair and inhumane confines of this abortion ban, and we encourage anyone in need of abortion services to contact us as soon as possible to get help navigating this new reality,” Jenny Black, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, said Friday.
The vastly Republican majority in the North Carolina legislature took it upon themselves to override the Democratic governor’s veto of the abortion ban, thus approving the 12-week ban in May. Republicans won a large majority after a lawmaker switched parties less than 6 months after being elected as part of the Democratic Party.
Thus, the new ban will require abortion providers to provide a state-mandated script about the risk of abortions 72 hours before the appointment.
In addition, the prohibition allows exceptions only in cases of rape and incest up to 20 weeks of pregnancy and fetal, fatal or life-limiting anomalies up to 24 weeks of pregnancy. It also allows abortions for ectopic pregnancies and those that require saving the life of the mother.
With information from ABC News
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