Florida judge blocks 15-week abortion ban due to go into effect Friday

A Florida judge has temporarily blocked a 15-week abortion ban that was due to begin Friday.

Planned Parenthood, the American Civil Liberties Union and abortion providers filed suits to subvert the law, arguing it violates the state constitution.

Leon County Judge John C. Cooper returned his verdict from the bench after two days of arguments and said he will issue a written restraining order.

State officials are expected to appeal the decision.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the 15-week abortion ban into law last April before the Supreme Court ruled in Roe v. Wade picked up.

That decision opened the door for states to seek an outright abortion ban, but DeSantis hasn’t indicated any plans to do so just yet.

Parties opposed to the 15-week ban contested the law, claiming that the Sunshine State’s constitution guarantees the right to abortion.

Their legal challenge relied on a 1980 amendment that guaranteed a broad right to privacy. The state Supreme Court has previously interpreted these rights to include access to abortion.

Under the new law, violators face up to five years in prison.

There are no exceptions for rape or incest victims, only for women whose lives are threatened by their pregnancy.