LITTLE ROCK, Ark., April 17 (UPI) -- A lawsuit filed in federal court in Arkansas argues a restrictive new state abortion law violates the guidelines set out by the Supreme Court in Roe vs. Wade.
The American Civil Liberties Union, which filed the suit, says the law is "in violation of over 40 years of settled United States Supreme Court precedent," Politico reported Wednesday.
Known as the Human Heartbeat Protection Act, the Arkansas law prevents most abortions after 12 weeks if a heartbeat is detected.
Abortion rights advocates contend the Supreme Court has ruled states can't restrict abortions prior to viability, generally considered to be about 24 weeks.
Aaron Sadler, a spokesman for Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel, said the state would defend the law.
Liberty Counsel, a non-profit group that opposes abortion, said it would support Arkansas' arguments before the courts.
Steve Crampton, the organization's general counsel, said Arkansas "has done nothing more than to take steps to protect its most innocent and helpless residents, the pre-born children in the womb."
Stephanie Toti, the senior staff attorney for the Center for Reproductive Rights, said she expected the courts to "immediately strike down" the law.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of two doctors who do abortions in the state.
The law is scheduled to take effect July 18.
