Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A federal judge says an Alabama law restricting abortion doctors is unconstitutional.
U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson ruled Monday that state lawmakers exceeded their authority when they passed a law last year requiring doctors at abortion clinics to have hospital admitting privileges.
Thompson issued an order temporarily blocking enforcement of the law.
Thompson's decision comes days after a federal appeals court blocked a similar law in Mississippi.
Planned Parenthood and others filed a lawsuit over the Alabama law last year.
Supporters of the law say it would make clinics safer. Clinic operators say the law would force the shutdown of all but two of Alabama's five clinics.
Thompson says the Alabama law would place an undue burden on women.
In a statement, Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange says he disagrees with the ruling and will appeal after Thompson issues a final order.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
