Judge Blocks State’s New Antiabortion Law
A federal judge in Jefferson City blocked enforcement of a new state law further restricting abortions, saying it would have forced an end to the procedure in part of Missouri.
The law requires doctors performing abortions to have clinical privileges at a hospital within 30 miles. It also lets parents sue people who “intentionally cause, aid or assist” minors in getting abortions without parental consent.
U.S. District Judge Nanette Laughery said the civil liability language “threatens an immediate chilling effect on all abortion counseling within Missouri and nearby states,” in part because the language was too vague to know what actions could be targeted.
The temporary restraining order came one day after Republican Gov. Matt Blunt had signed the law.
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