A federal judge temporarily blocked the implementation of an Arkansas abortion bill on Aug. 6 that would have prevented abortions after 18 weeks.
The ruling also blocks a law that would have prevented abortions targeting babies with Down syndrome, and yet another law requiring abortion providers to be certified in obstetrics and gynecology, according to CNN.
Baker wrote in the ruling that the measures would have caused “ongoing and imminent irreparable harm to the plaintiffs and their patients,” and that “the harms to women who are unable to obtain abortion care as a result of (the acts) are irreparable.”
Rutledge’s communications director told the DCNF that the Attorney General immediately filed an appeal to the Eight Circuit following the court ruling.
“She continues to defend Arkansas law protecting women’s health by requiring a board certified or eligible OBGYN to perform an abortion, as well as Arkansas laws that (protect) unborn life by prohibiting abortions after 18 weeks and at any time if based on a Down Syndrome diagnosis,” said Amanda Priest, Rutledge’s communications director.