UNITED STATES. Iowa: The Republican-controlled legislature in the state of Iowa is set to discuss a potential ban on abortions after the detection of foetal heart activity, which typically occurs around six weeks of pregnancy. The proposed ban comes after the Iowa Supreme Court halted the implementation of a similar bill in June.
Governor Kim Reynolds, a Republican, called for an extra legislative session in response to the court’s decision. The Iowa Supreme Court had previously allowed abortions in the state up to 20 weeks of pregnancy. Republican lawmakers believe that enacting a new law now will strengthen their chances of withstanding future legal challenges, as the three judges who rejected the reinstatement of the 2018 law cited concerns about legislating from the bench.
Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in June 2022, which effectively removed federal protections for abortion rights established by Roe v. Wade, fourteen states have enacted laws prohibiting the majority of abortions. Previous court decisions had temporarily blocked Iowa’s 2018 ban on abortions after approximately six weeks, but those rulings have since been overturned.
The proposed Iowa law would criminalize abortions once cardiac activity can be detected, well before the foetus has a fully formed heart. It includes minor exceptions for cases of rape, incest, medical emergencies, foetal abnormalities that are considered incompatible with life, and situations in which continuing the pregnancy would significantly risk the woman’s long-term health.
The duration of the legislative discussions is uncertain as the state Senate and House of Representatives are set to begin debating the proposed law on Tuesday.
Advocacy groups such as Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa and the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition have urged their members to contact lawmakers and express their views either in support or against the proposal.
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