April 3, 2017

Federal judge blocks part of Pence's abortion bill

Common Dreams - A federal judge blocked a core provision of Indiana abortion legislation that Vice President Mike Pence lauded when he signed it into law "with a prayer" last year, the Associated Press reported Monday.

The omnibus bill was described by reproductive rights advocates as "one of the worst anti-abortion laws in the country."

HEA 1337,  passed in March 2016, contained a multitude of provisions designed to prevent women from accessing abortions. It forced women to have an ultrasound at least 18 hours before an abortion; banned abortions when a fetal anomaly was detected; mandated the burial and cremation of miscarried or aborted remains; restricted fetal tissue donation; and required doctors performing abortions to have admitting privileges at a hospital or to have an agreement with a doctor who does.

U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt's ruling found that the requirement that women have an ultrasound is likely unconstitutional, and creates an "undue burden" particularly for low-income women.

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