North Carolina 12-week abortion limit now in effect

The 12-week limit on abortions, which the North Carolina legislature passed over the governor’s veto, now takes effect. A federal judge denied, for the most part, a motion for a temporary restraining order against it.

North Carolina becomes an abortion restrictive state

Planned Parenthood South Atlantic is still suing the State to stop enforcement of the new 12-week ban. As part of that, they moved for a temporary restraining order. But they filed their lawsuit before at least one iteration of changes happened to the new law. On June 30, Judge Catherine Eagles of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina denied most of their motion, according to The Western Journal and Station WRAL-TV (Channel 5, Raleigh, N.C.). The only injunction Planned Parenthood got was on a new reporting requirement by physicians. That, Planned Parenthood suggested, would amount to a complete ban on abortion even from conception. Nevertheless, the rest of the new law took full effect yesterday.

Judge Eagles further said other changes in the law would render Planned Parenthood’s claims moot. One can read the judge’s ruling here.

The new law has exceptions, which it treats in a new manner. Before July 1, North Carolina law allowed abortion up to twenty weeks. The new law allows the following exceptions, most of which it subjects to time limits:

• To protect the physical life of the mother – no time limit.
• When a health-care provider detects “life altering” fetal anomalies – twenty-four weeks.
• Rape or incest – twenty weeks.

In all other cases, abortion cannot happen after twelve weeks. Furthermore, if one is going to use a mefiprestone/misoprostol regimen, that will require an in-person doctor’s visit at ten weeks.

Pro-life activists across North Carolina celebrated.

Select quotes

Judge Eagles received her appointment to the bench from President Barack Obama.

Lauren Horsch, spokesperson for Sen. Phil Berger, President pro tempore of the North Carolina Senate, said this, according to The Western Journal:

The General Assembly provided the clarity physicians asked for and now Senate Bill 20, including the $160 million in funding for child care access, paid parental leave for state employees, maternal health, and other pro-family measures, will largely go into effect.

And:

It’s unfortunate that Planned Parenthood — aided by Attorney General [Josh] Stein — hasn’t given up its crusade to save its business model.

AG Stein is part of the administration of Gov. Roy Cooper (D-N.C.).

Caitlin Connors, southern regional director for SBA Pro-life America, pointed out other features of the new law to WRAL. They include “$160 million in funding for parental leave, material support, and many other resources.”