An Arkansas law set to go into effect July 28 that would outlaw virtually all abortions in the state was blocked by U.S. District Judge Kristine G. Baker on Tuesday as she granted a preliminary injunction while she hears a challenge to its constitutionality.
The lawsuit seeks to stop implementation of Act 309 of 2021, which was passed by the General Assembly this year and began the session as Senate Bill 6, sponsored by Sen. Jason Rapert, R-Conway. The ban provides an exception to save the life of the mother but has no exceptions for rape or incest.
At the time the law -- dubbed the Unborn Child Protection Act -- was passed, Rapert said the intent of the law, in addition to putting a near total ban on abortion in the state, was to serve as a direct challenge to the U.S.
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