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Federal judge blocks Indiana's controversial abortion law

By Doug G. Ware
Pro-abortion demonstrators assemble in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday just before the court struck down a Texas regulation law on abortion clinics. Thursday, a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction to block a new Indiana law that sought to bar certain abortions based on gender or disability in the fetus. Photo by Pat Benic/UPI
Pro-abortion demonstrators assemble in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday just before the court struck down a Texas regulation law on abortion clinics. Thursday, a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction to block a new Indiana law that sought to bar certain abortions based on gender or disability in the fetus. Photo by Pat Benic/UPI | License Photo

INDIANAPOLIS, June 30 (UPI) -- A federal judge granted an injunction Thursday that temporarily blocks a controversial new Indiana law that prohibits abortions based on the fetus' gender or disability.

The law, passed earlier this year by the Indiana General Assembly, seeks to outlaw abortions in cases where the mother wants to terminate her pregnancy because the baby has been diagnosed a disability -- and in cases when that decision is based on the sex of the fetus.

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Gov. Mike Pence signed the new law on March 24.

Thursday, Judge Tanya Walton Pratt granted a preliminary injunction, which prevents the law from taking effect until the controversial matter is settled in the courts.

In her decision, she wrote that the law is at odds with Roe v. Wade -- the landmark Supreme Court case that legalized abortion in 1973 -- as well as another, similar case.

"It is clear and undisputed that until Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood of Southeast Pennsylvania v. Casey are overturned by the United States Supreme Court, this Court is bound to follow that precedent," Pratt wrote.

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The injunction was sought by Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky.

Indiana Abortion Ruling

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