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Federal Judge Extends Temporary Restraining Order on Sonya’s Law

As you will remember, Sonya’s Law (now known as Act 37) was signed into law by Governor Scott Walker earlier this month. A portion of the law was immediately challenged in the Wisconsin Federal District Court by Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin , Affiliated Medical Services and the ACLU of Wisconsin. Sonya’s Law contains two provisions. The first provision requires that the abortion doctor provide women, who are considering abortion, with the opportunity to view their unborn children through ultrasound and experience their children’s heartbeat. The second provision of the law requires that doctors who perform abortion in Wisconsin have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of the abortion clinic. The ultrasound provision was not challenged and is currently in effect. The admitting privilege portion of Sonya’s Law was challenged and U.S. District Judge William Conley quickly placed a temporary restraining order on the admitting privileges requirement and that portion of the law has not been in effect.

Today, Judge Conley held a hearing on Act 37 and extended the temporary restraining order on the admitting privileges requirement for another two weeks. He said he would then rule on the motion to place a preliminary injunction on the law.

A court trial on the law is scheduled for November 25 and it is expected to last two days. Sometime after the trial, Judge Conley will rule on the constitutionality of Act 37.

We are confident that in the end, the entire Sonya’s Law will be upheld.

We will keep you posted.

Sue Armacost

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