A federal judge in Mississippi has temporarily blocked the state from enforcing a heartbeat abortion ban, which would outlaw abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected, Buzzfeed News reported.
Mississippi is one of several states that have pushed for bans outlawing abortions this year, and one of five that have enacted "heartbeat" laws.
However, at this stage in their pregnancy, many women aren't even aware they're pregnant yet. Thus the "heartbeat" law would essentially ban all abortion.
"Here we go again," he wrote in his order. “Mississippi has passed another law banning abortions prior to viability.”
A fetus isn't viable at 15 weeks, he wrote in reference to the previous abortion ban he ruled against. So a fetus isn't viable at 6 weeks, either.
He cited the previous 15-week abortion law he shot down and said, “It sure smacks of defiance to this court."
His new order stops the law from taking effect on July 1, 2019.
"By banning abortions after the detection of a fetal heartbeat, S.B. 2116 prevents a woman’s free choice, which is central to personal dignity and autonomy," Reeves wrote, "This injury outweighs any interest the State might have in banning abortions after the detection of a fetal heartbeat."
According to Global News, the only exceptions to the law would be if the pregnancy posed a serious risk to the mother's health. There are, however, no exceptions for rape or incest.
h/t: Buzzfeed News
