Federal judge keeps three state abortion laws on hold

LITTLE ROCK — A federal judge on Tuesday ruled that three Arkansas abortion restrictions she temporarily blocked will remain on hold while she considers a lawsuit challenging them.

U.S. District Judge Kristine Baker granted a preliminary injunction blocking the restrictions, which include a measure prohibiting abortion 18 weeks into pregnancy. They also include a requirement that doctors performing abortions be board-certified or board-eligible in obstetrics and gynecology. An official with a Little Rock clinic that performs surgical abortions has said it has one physician who meets that requirement, and that he only works there infrequently.

Baker last month issued a ruling blocking the laws that was set to expire late Tuesday night. The third law prohibits doctors from performing an abortion if it's being sought because the fetus was diagnosed with Down syndrome.

Attorney General Leslie Rutledge's office immediately filed a notice that it planned to appeal Baker's decision.

The laws are being challenged by Little Rock Family Planning Services, the state's only surgical abortion clinic, and Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood only offers medication-induced abortions at its Arkansas facilities. Planned Parenthood last month closed its Fayetteville facility and is looking for a new location, but is still providing medication abortions at its Little Rock center.

Read more: http://www.texarkanagazette.com/news/arkansas/story/2019/aug/07/federal-judge-keeps-three-state-abortion-laws-hold/789569/