Federal judge blocks parts of Indiana’s new abortion law
INDIANAPOLIS — A federal judge on Wednesday blocked portions of a new Indiana law that would make it tougher for girls under age 18 to get an abortion without their parents’ knowledge.
U.S. District Judge Sarah Evans Barker wrote in approving a temporary injunction that “when it comes to our children, while parents or others entrusted with their care and wellbeing have the lawful and moral obligation always to act in their best interests, children are not bereft of separate identities, interests, and legal standing.”
Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky and the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana sued the state on May 18 seeking to prevent three provisions from taking effect on July 1 and arguing that they create “an unconstitutional undue burden on unemancipated minors.” Barker approved injunctions blocking all three.
One provision of the law would require a judge in most cases to allow parents to be informed that their daughter is seeking an abortion.