Look to DesMoinesRegister.com on Friday morning for our coverage of the Iowa Supreme Court ruling on the state’s so-called fetal heartbeat law , which was passed during a special session of the Legislature last summer but was quickly blocked from taking effect.
The law would ban most abortions after fetal cardiac activity can be detected, about six weeks into a pregnancy. That’s far more restrictive than current Iowa law, which allows abortions up to the 20th week of pregnancy.
Also notable: This case is expected to set the standard for deciding future abortion cases in Iowa. Does the state need to prove only that it has a “rational basis” for abortion restrictions, or do restrictions have to clear the far higher hurdle of not imposing an “undue burden” on women seeking abortions?
More: How Iowa’s abortion laws have changed over the decades in advance of Friday’s ruling
Courts reporter William Morris will examine the court’s reasoning and any concurrences or dissents. Other reporters will fan out to gather reactions from abortion opponents and abortion rights activists and explore the potential impact for women and families and for the political landscape.