January 17, 2022

Indiana Abortion Restrictions to Stay in Place While SCOTUS Considers Dobbs

The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday said that it would delay ruling on several pro-life Indiana laws until after the Supreme Court issues its ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.

The Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case is a challenge to Mississippi's Gestational Age Act, which protects babies from abortion after they reach 15 weeks gestation. A decision is expected in June.

Judge Sarah Evans Barker issued a ruling in August of last year that allowed some of Indiana's pro-life provisions to be enforced, but it placed injunctions against others. One provision that was allowed prohibits non-doctors from performing first-trimester aspiration abortions. Five provisions are currently being blocked, however:

  • a ban against non-doctors from prescribing abortion pills
  • a requirement that second-trimester abortions only occur at hospitals or ambulatory surgery centers
  • a requirement that preabortion counseling occur in-person
  • a ban against the use of telemedicine to prescribe and distribute abortion pills
  • a requirement that women receive in-person examinations before having abortions

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