Indiana judge blocks pro-life law

Owen County Judge Kelsey Hanlon issued a preliminary injunction Thursday against an Indiana law that protects babies from almost all abortions. The law has exceptions for cases of rape or incest, to save the life of the mother, or fatal fetal anomalies. The judge said that though abortion was not legal when the state constitution was written, there is a “reasonable likelihood” that it protects family planning decisions—including abortion. For now, the state will go back to its previous law, which protects babies after 20 weeks of gestation.

Have any other laws taken effect? In West Virginia, the legislature passed a bill that protects babies in almost every case. There is an exception for rape or incest before eight weeks of pregnancy if it is reported to law enforcement. Minors can use the exception until 14 weeks of gestation. Abortions will also be allowed in a medical emergency. Republican Gov. Jim Justice signed the bill into law last week. In Wisconsin, Republicans rejected a measure to allow citizens to vote on their pre-Roe law that protects babies from abortions.

Dig deeper: Read Leah Savas’ report in Vitals on South Carolina lawmakers’ special session on abortion.