Topline
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) signed into law on Friday a six-week ban on almost all abortions, the latest in a string of state abortion bans in the year since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, though the ban could face legal challenges after a previous ban was blocked by the state’s supreme court.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a six-week abortion ban into law on Friday.
Key Facts
Reynolds’ signature comes two days after Iowa’s GOP-led legislature voted overwhelmingly to pass the ban in a special legislative session called by Reynolds to “address the issue of abortion expeditiously.”
Abortion access in Iowa has been challenged for more than a year: Last month, the state’s Supreme Court failed to reached a majority to lift a block imposed by a lower court on Reynolds’ previous attempt at a ban six weeks into a woman’s pregnancy—leaving abortion legal in the state until 20 weeks into a pregnancy.
The ban signed into law on Friday creates limited exceptions for rape and incest, if they are reported to healthcare providers or law enforcement, as well as exceptions for cases that pose a threat to the life of a pregnant mother.
The six-week ban is very likely to be challenged in court—the ACLU of Iowa, Emma Goldman Clinic and Planned Parenthood told the Associated Press earlier this month they’re preparing to challenge the law, with ACLU of Iowa director Mark Stringer calling it “reckless” and “cruel.”
Key Background
Iowa’s legislature passed the so-called fetal heartbeat bill in 2018, though it was struck down by a district judge in 2019, who ruled that law violated a “woman’s right to decide whether to terminate a pregnancy,” finding abortion a “fundamental right” under the state’s constitution. The Iowa Supreme Court later ruled women’s right to abortion is not protected under the state’s constitution, while the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last June, leaving abortion access up to individual states, paving the way for a ban to come into effect.
Big Number
Sixteen. That’s how many states have fully banned abortions or imposed bans at six weeks into a pregnancy since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Another two states—Nebraska and North Carolina—banned abortions at 12 weeks, while Arizona, Florida and Utah imposed bans at 15 to 18 weeks.
Further Reading
Iowa Republicans Set Stage For New 6-Week Abortion Ban (Forbes)
Iowa Supreme Court Blocks Governor’s Attempt At 6-Week Abortion Ban (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2023/07/14/iowa-gov-signs-6-week-abortion-ban-though-appeal-is-likely/