Temporary Injunction Stalls “Fetal Heartbeat” Law

A bill that would ban abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected was signed into law in Iowa last month. It was scheduled to take effect July 1. Opponents pointed out that many women don’t have an inkling that they are pregnant until after a heartbeat can be detected, which happens about six weeks after conception, and went to court to halt enforcement. Polk County Judge Michael Huppert issued a temporary injunction while litigation works its way through the courts. The immediate effect is that women in Iowa can continue to make appointments and receive abortions prior to their pregnancy’s 20th week, the same as under current law. “For the sake of getting to a resolution on the merits sooner and better, we have agreed to essentially allow the bill to be put on hold while the court resolves this case on its merits,” said Martin Cannon, a lawyer at the conservative Thomas More Society, which is representing the state because Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller refused to defend the law.