Iowa on Monday joins 17 other states in prohibiting abortion after six weeks gestation, changing the landscape of abortion access in the Midwest.
The implementation of the six-week law comes after the state Supreme Court ruled last month in a 4-3 decision that the prohibition passed by the legislature could be enforced.
The law allows for several exceptions, including in cases of rape, incest, and life and health of the mother. There is also an exception for when fetal anomalies are “incompatible with life.”
The legislation prevents abortion following the detection of a fetal heartbeat, which occurs at approximately six weeks of pregnancy.
Prior to the law taking effect, abortion was legal in Iowa until 22 weeks gestation, around the time of fetal viability.
Abortion regulation has been tied up in the Iowa court system since 2018 when Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA) signed the first heartbeat law, which was quickly challenged by abortion providers.
