Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit against the state of Indiana for a new law that the organization believes is unconstitutional.
The new law, effective July 1, prohibits abortion in early stages of pregnancy due to genetic abnormalities, and it mandates that a fetus be buried or cremated.
Planned Parenthood is requesting an injunction on the law, filed by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of the Indiana chapter of the organization.
The ACLU of Indiana legal director, Ken Falk said:
“The United States Supreme Court has repeatedly stressed that a woman, not the state, is to determine whether or not to obtain an abortion. The State of Indiana’s attempt to invade a woman’s privacy and to control her decision in this regard is unprecedented and unconstitutional.”
The law will make Indiana one of the most restrictive states in the U.S. for abortions, and has spurred a campaign called “Periods from Pence” in which women are phoning Indiana governor, Mike Pence, to tell him about their periods.
In an emailed statement, Stephanie Hodgin, Gov. Pence’s deputy press secretary, said that the Republican governor maintains the constitutionality of the law.
“[Gov. Pence] has every confidence this law is constitutional. We will work with the Attorney General to defend the law that enhances information expectant mothers receive and enhances protection for the unborn.”
The lawsuit states that the new law puts “undue burden on women’s right to choose an abortion” because it bans the procedure circumstantially, even when the fetus won’t survive. The suit also cites that it’s within a woman’s right to choose an abortion in the first trimester “for any reason.”
U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Walton Pratt will oversee the case. In 2011 she ruled against a law that would have prohibited entities performing abortions from getting state funding.
Travis Holdman, the State Senator who sponsored the bill, would not comment on the lawsuit.
The “Periods from Pence” campaign is planning a protest this weekend in support of Planned Parenthood.
Featured image via Andrew Burton/Getty Images
