Law Extended Two Weeks

A judge extended a temporary block on an Ohio law, banning virtually all abortions for an additional 14 days, further pausing a law that had taken effect after federal abortion protections were overturned by the Supreme Court, in June. The decision by Hamilton County Judge Christian Jenkins means pregnancy terminations through 20 weeks’ gestation may continue in Ohio through Oct. 12. Jenkins issued his first 14-day pause Sept. 14 in a lawsuit brought by the ACLU of Ohio on behalf of the state’s remaining abortion providers, finding their lawsuit was substantially likely to prevail on the merits. The action argues that the abortion ban violates protections in the state constitution, guaranteeing individual liberty and equal protection. It also says the law is unconstitutionally vague. Jenkins has scheduled the next hearing in the case for Oct. 7.