Indiana's near-total abortion ban temporarily halted by local judge

Updated Sept. 22 at 4:37 p.m.

Indiana’s near-total abortion ban has been temporarily halted.

Just three days after a judge heard arguments in a lawsuit challenging the ban, she ruled that the law likely violates the Indiana Constitution.

Article 1, Section 1 of the Indiana Constitution says that all people have a right to liberty. Judge Kelsey Hanlon said Indiana courts have recognized before that a right to bodily autonomy is part of that.

And her ruling said Indiana’s near-total abortion ban goes too far in restricting that right “by making that autonomy largely contingent upon first experiencing extreme sexual violence or significant loss of physical health or death.”

Hanlon’s decision also said the law’s ban on clinics performing abortions – restricting the procedure only to hospitals and certain surgical centers – will limit availability, increase costs and “is unlikely to increase the safety of Hoosier women and girls.”

The ruling means that, for now, abortion is legal for anyone up to 20 weeks, without needing to provide a reason. Other pre-existing regulations are also in effect, including provisions that require two separate trips to an abortion care provider, an ultrasound, informed consent and parental consent for those under age 18.

READ MORE: Indiana abortion clinics reopening after judge blocks ban

In a statement, Attorney General Todd Rokita pledged to appeal the decision.

"Our office remains determined to fight for the lives of the unborn, and this law provides a reasonable way to begin doing that," Rokita said.

However, the state will likely ask for the ruling's impact to be halted while the appeal is ongoing, meaning the abortion ban might take effect again soon.

Democratic state lawmakers cheered Thursday's ruling. Senate Democratic Leader Greg Taylor (D-Indianapolis) acknowledged the pause may be temporary, but said it was still a win for every Hoosier who needs vital care.

"Abortion care is health care and every extra day that this healthcare is available to women is critical," Taylor said.

Indiana House Democratic Caucus spokesperson Hannah Smith said the lawsuit was further evidence of Republicans wasting taxpayer dollars in their pursuit of an abortion ban.

"The GOP’s endless crusade to disenfranchise women and girls of personal choice and autonomy has already cost our state countless dollars, and this lawsuit will surely add to the tab of hard-working folk," Smith said.

Gov. Eric Holcomb only said his office would continue to monitor the case. Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray declined to issue a new statement, pointing to previous remarks that he hopes the ban will survive a legal challenge.

Indiana abortion care providers Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawai‘i, Alaska, Indiana, Kentucky; Whole Woman’s Health Alliance, Women's Med Group Professional Corporation and All-Options Pregnancy Resource Center brought this lawsuit challenging the ban.

In a joint statement, they said the ruling provides relief, but said the fight is not over.

"Indiana lawmakers have made it abundantly clear that this harm, this cruelty, is exactly the reality they had in mind when they passed [the ban]," the providers said.

Indiana Right to Life is one of the state's most influential anti-abortion organizations. President and CEO Mike Fichter said the group was encouraged the judge's ruling acknowledged that the state has a legitimate interest in protecting fetuses.

"[We] are hopeful the blockage will be brief," Fichter said.

This story has been updated.

Contact reporter Brandon at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.