Judge to decide next steps on Ohio 'heartbeat' abortion ban
A judge in Ohio hears arguments Friday on whether to extend a block on Ohio’s law banning virtually all abortions on a more permanent basis
By JULIE CARR SMYTH
Published - Oct 07, 2022, 07:44 AM ET
Last Updated - Jun 24, 2023, 03:24 AM EDT
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A judge in Ohio was scheduled to hear arguments Friday on whether to extend a block on Ohio's law banning virtually all abortions on a more permanent basis.
Hamilton County Judge Christian Jenkins previously decided to pause the law through Oct. 12, after it took effect in the wake of federal abortion protections being overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in June.
That marked the second 14-day pause Jenkins had ordered in a lawsuit brought by the ACLU of Ohio on behalf of the state’s remaining abortion providers. He found their lawsuit was “substantially likely to prevail on the merits.”
He must now decide whether to issue a permanent injunction that would pause the law as the litigation proceeds.
