An Iowa District Court ruled against Iowa’s Heartbeat Bill on Monday. The law, which was passed in 2018, has never gone into effect due to legal challenges.
The district court said on Monday it doesn’t have the authority to dissolve the permanent injunction against the law. It also added the state failed to demonstrate any substantial change in the law under the Iowa Constitution that would allow the Heartbeat Bill to take effect.
ACLU of Iowa Legal Director Rita Bettis Austen said the organization is “grateful and relieved” by the decision.
“This law was dangerous, cruel and unconstitutional when the district court blocked it three years ago, and it’s still dangerous, cruel and unconstitutional today.”
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said she is “very disappointed” in the ruling.
“Regardless of the outcome, this case was always going to the Iowa Supreme Court,” Reynolds said. “We will appeal this decision immediately. As the Iowa and U.S. Supreme Courts have made clear, there is no fundamental right to an abortion. The decision of the people’s representatives to protect life should be honored, and I believe the court will ultimately do so. As long as I’m Governor, I will continue to fight for the sanctity of life and for the unborn.”
