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Friday, March 29, 2024 | Back issues
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Judge Blocks Alabama |Abortion Restrictions

(CN) — A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order on Wednesday blocking two new laws that would limit access to abortions in the state of Alabama.

U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson of the Middle District of Alabama granted a motion for a temporary restraining order, barring the state from enforcing Alabama Acts No. 2016-388 and No. 2016-397.

Thompson also scheduled an evidentiary hearing for Tuesday, Oct. 4, to consider a motion for a preliminary injunction in the case.

If allowed to stand, the two statues in question would each limit access to abortions in the state of Alabama.

According to Thompson's July 13 order, the first would restrict the location of abortion clinics "with respect to K-8 public schools." The second would ban a particular type of abortion method referred to as the dilation and evacuation method. Both laws were scheduled to take effect on Monday, Aug. 1.

According to Thompson's order, the temporary restraining order will remain in effect "until three weeks after the end of the hearing."

The injunction hearing will be held in the Frank M. Johnson Jr. Federal Courthouse Complex in Montgomery, Ala. It's scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.

According to an amended complaint filed in the case on July 6, the new Alabama laws would "significantly and irreparably harm the health, safety, and constitutional rights of women seeking abortion services in Alabama if enforced."

The plaintiffs in the suit include a Tuscaloosa abortion clinic known as West Alabama Women's Center and a clinic in Huntsville known as Alabama Women's Center.

According to the complaint, the two clinics provide "over half of the abortions in Alabama."

The defendants in the case include State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Miller and Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange.

The plaintiffs in the case are being represented by the ACLU of Alabama.

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