Divided SCOTUS allows Texas abortion law to stand

The Supreme Court voted 5-4 to deny an emergency appeal from abortion groups to put Texas’ heartbeat law on hold. The legislation protects almost all unborn babies from abortion in the state. The high court’s unsigned order said it does not limit “other procedurally proper challenges” to the law.

What will change? The law is the most far-reaching protection for the unborn in the United States since the high court’s Roe v. Wade decision legalized abortion in 1973. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in May signed the bill safeguarding babies after they have a detectable heartbeat, usually around six weeks of gestation. Unlike similar bills, this one doesn’t prosecute abortionists, instead allowing private citizens to sue them or anyone involved in facilitating abortions. At least 12 other states have passed laws to protect unborn babies early in pregnancy, but courts have blocked all of them from taking effect.

Dig deeper: Read Leah Savas’ report in Vitals about the unconventional enforcement mechanism’s trial run in one Texas city.

Editor’s note: WORLD has updated this report since its initial posting.