ACLU seeks to block fetal heartbeat measure in Kentucky

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ACLU seeks to block fetal heartbeat measure in Kentucky

Associated Press | Friday, March 15, 2019 11:24 a.m.

Abortion-rights defenders have expanded their legal fight against Kentucky to try to block the state’s most restrictive abortion measure, which would mostly ban the procedure once a fetal heartbeat is detected. The American Civil Liberties amended a federal lawsuit on Friday, March 15, 2019, to take aim at the so-called fetal heartbeat bill.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Abortion-rights defenders have expanded their legal fight against Kentucky to try to block the state’s most restrictive abortion measure, which would mostly ban the procedure once a fetal heartbeat is detected.

The American Civil Liberties amended a federal lawsuit Friday to take aim at the so-called fetal heartbeat bill. The measure won final passage late Thursday in Kentucky’s Republican-dominated legislature and was sent to the state’s anti-abortion governor, Republican Matt Bevin.

Bevin’s office did not immediately comment on the latest legal action.

ACLU attorneys say the heartbeat bill would prohibit 90 percent of abortions in Kentucky.

A fetal heartbeat can be detected as early as six weeks into pregnancy, before many women know they’re pregnant.

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