The abortion battle is heating up, especially given the composite of the current United States Supreme Court. Most states are looking to retain as many rights as possible at the state level, and the Iowa courts are no exception.

Iowa Fetal Heartbeat Law Sets Cut-Off Too Early

The Iowa Fetal Heartbeat law banned abortions from taking place after an ultrasound detected a heartbeat, so long as the pregnancy didn’t involve a medical emergency or medical necessity. Medical necessity was defined as pregnancies involving rape, incest, miscarriage, or fetal abnormality.

Fetal Heartbeat Laws Can Be Arbitrary

Fetal Heartbeat laws are unnerving for a variety of reasons. At six weeks, many women don’t know they are pregnant. Six weeks actually means about four weeks past conception, and just two weeks past a missed period, and that is if a woman’s period is regular at 28 days.

Ohio May Pass Fetal Heartbeat Law Soon

Ohio recently passed a Fetal Heartbeat bill through the state legislature. Though the former governor vetoed a similar bill, newly elected Governor DeWine said that he would support and sign the bill. Ohio’s bill does not make an exception for rape or incest, though would do so during a medical emergency or to save the woman’s life. Under the bill, performing an abortion on a fetus with a heartbeat would result in a fifth-degree felony, punishable by up to one year in prison and a $2,500 fine.

Since 2010, states have passed at least 424 anti-abortion bills. If you feel that an abortion law in your state violates your constitutional rights, contact a local civil rights attorney.

Related Resources:

  • Find a Civil Rights Attorney Near You (FindLaw’s Lawyer Directory)
  • N.D.’s ‘Fetal Heartbeat’ Abortion Ban Blocked (FindLaw Law and Daily Life)
  • How Did Abortion Become Legal? (FindLaw Learn About the Law)

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