Lawsuit Filed Against Arkansas 12 Week Abortion Ban

Two groups have sued Arkansas in an attempt to strike down its new abortion ban law set to take effect in July.

The American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Reproductive Rights claims the historic 12-week abortion ban the Arkansas legislature passed in March violates Roe v. Wade, Politico reports.

The Arkansas abortion ban, known as the Human Heartbeat Protection Act, states that most abortions are illegal after 12 weeks of fetal development if a heartbeat is present.

“In violation of over 40 years of settled United States Supreme Court precedent, the act bans abortion care starting at 12 weeks of pregnancy, threatening the rights, liberty, and well-being of Arkansas women and their families,” the lawsuit states.

Abortion advocates say the abortion ban goes against Supreme Court precedent, which says that abortions cannot be restricted until the fetus is considered viable, around 23-24 weeks.

Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel said his office is ready for the legal fight.

“It is our responsibility to defend state law, and we will do so in this litigation,” said McDaniel spokesman Aaron Sadler said.

The lawsuit was filed at the request of two abortion doctors who are trying to stop the ban before it goes into effect on July 18.