Indiana’s latest extreme abortion ban was set to go into effect today, but remains on hold as the ACLU has filed a petition to the state Supreme Court challenging the law. The ban would outlaw abortions in all cases, except rape and incest, but only in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. The health of the mother could also be taken into account, but only up to 20 weeks of pregnancy.
The ACLU previously challenged the constitutionality of the ban, claiming that it violated the state constitution’s privacy provisions. However, the court ruled that even though the liberty clause “protects a woman’s right to an abortion that is necessary to protect her life or to protect her from a serious health risk, the provision does not protect a fundamental right to abortion in all circumstances.” The ACLU has petitioned for a rehearing stating that the ruling had “left open the possibility that this constitutionally protected right ‘may be broader than the current statutory exception.'”
In the meantime, the current Indiana law remains in effect, banning abortion after 20 weeks, but significantly restricting abortion after just 13 weeks. Clinics across the state are continuing to provide abortion care to patients while the ban is paused.
In response to the continued attack on lifesaving healthcare around the country, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker passed several initiatives on Monday to ensure that Illinois remains a safe haven for individuals seeking abortions. In his statement announcing his continued support for abortion access, Gov. Pritzker said, “We’ve made investments to try to prepare for the influx of people coming from out of state and, of course, our surrounding states.”
Republican Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has been committed to stripping women of their reproductive rights since the overturn of Roe v. Wade. If this ban is upheld, Indiana will join over 20 states that have now totally banned or harshly restricted abortion access. “The chaos, confusion, and devastation we are now seeing across the country is exactly the environment anti-abortion lawmakers have worked for decades to create, and it is no different in Indiana,” Nicole Erwin, a spokesperson for Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, said.
Feminist Majority, along with Planned Parenthood, NARAL, and numerous other dedicated organizations, will continue the fight to ensure every individual has the right to make decisions over their own body.