Planned Parenthood Files Lawsuit to Block Abortion 24-Hour Waiting Period

DES MOINES, Iowa - Planned Parenthood and the ACLU of Iowa are taking the state to court over an abortion bill passed by the state legislature.

Lawmakers approved a 24-hour waiting period before women can get abortions on the final day of this year's legislative session June 14th. Women would have to wait 24-hours after making an appointment, and would have to be given access to an ultrasound of the fetus and information on adoptions.

The lawsuit filed Tuesday by the ACLU and Planned Parenthood in Johnson County District Court seeks to block the legislation from going into effect on July 1st. Governor Kim Reynolds hasn't signed the bill yet, but she is a strong opponent of abortion.

The Iowa Supreme Court struck down a 72-hour waiting period for abortions in 2018, and while doing so, found the right to an abortion is protected in the Iowa Constitution.

The Republican controlled state legislature has since been attempting to reverse the Supreme Court's decision with a constitutional amendment stating the Iowa Constitution does not protect abortion. The state senate passed the measure this year, but it failed to clear the house.


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