ATTEMPTED MURDER AND WILLFUL INJURY. THE IOWA SUPREME COURT WILL HEAR ARGUMENTS TOMORROW OVER THE STATE’S ENFORCEMENT OF THE SO-CALLED FETAL HEARTBEAT LAW. THE LAW BANS. THE LAW BANS ABORTIONS AT SIX WEEKS OF PREGNANCY. THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS TO THIS. FOR THINGS LIKE LIKE RAPE OR IF THE MOTHER’S LIFE IS AT RISK, JUSTICES WILL DETERMINE IF THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE SIX WEEK BAN SHOULD BE PERMITTED. WHILE A LEGAL BATTLE PLAYS OUT IN THE COURTS. WHILE THIS NEW LAW IS TIED UP IN THE COURTS, THE PROCEDURE IS LEGAL IN T
Iowa Supreme Court to hear arguments on fetal heartbeat bill
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Updated: 5:33 PM CDT Apr 10, 2024
The Iowa Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on the state's so-called "fetal heartbeat law."The law, passed last summer during a special legislative session, bans abortions once cardiac activity is detected, usually around the sixth week of pregnancy, before many women know they're pregnant. It does make exceptions for rape, incest, fetal abnormalities or when the mother's life is at risk. However, rape would need to be reported within 45 days and incest would need to be reported within 140 days.Close Up: Deep look at 'fetal heartbeat' lawThe law was blocked almost immediately after it passed and has stayed that way.Previously, the Iowa Legislature passed a "fetal heartbeat law" in 2018 that was ruled unconstitutional in 2019 by a Polk County judge.The legal battle continued to June 2023, when a deadlocked state supreme court decision failed to lift an injunction on the 2018 law and permanently blocked it from taking effect.» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google PlayGet the latest headlines from KCCI Related: How each Iowa lawmaker voted in special session
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on the state's so-called "fetal heartbeat law."
The law, passed last summer during a special legislative session, bans abortions once cardiac activity is detected, usually around the sixth week of pregnancy, before many women know they're pregnant. It does make exceptions for rape, incest, fetal abnormalities or when the mother's life is at risk. However, rape would need to be reported within 45 days and incest would need to be reported within 140 days.
Close Up: Deep look at 'fetal heartbeat' law
The law was blocked almost immediately after it passed and has stayed that way.
Previously, the Iowa Legislature passed a "fetal heartbeat law" in 2018 that was ruled unconstitutional in 2019 by a Polk County judge.
The legal battle continued to June 2023, when a deadlocked state supreme court decision failed to lift an injunction on the 2018 law and permanently blocked it from taking effect.
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Related: How each Iowa lawmaker voted in special session
