Federal judge grants two-week restraining order against Arkansas law restricting use of abortion pill

On Thursday, a federal judge granted a two-week restraining order against an Arkansas law, which restricts use of the so-called abortion pill. The grant has been given a day before the statute was to become effective.

The law has been challenged by Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, which has two clinics in Arkansas. On Wednesday, the US District Judge Kristine Baker heard arguments prior to permitting the group's request for a temporary stay that prevents the enforcement of the law, on Thursday.

Further arguments will be heard by the judge, but she said in her ruling that Planned Parenthood had a significant chance of prevailing in its argument that the statute is an unconstitutional violation of the right of a woman get an abortion done.

In recent years, the attempts to limit abortion in Arkansas have intensified as Republicans have taken control of the legislature’s both chambers and, in January, the office of the governor.

Now state law has asked for pre-abortion counseling and a daylong waiting period prior to the procedure.

The law that was ruled by the judge on Thursday was approved by the state legislature in March. It would need organizations or individuals dispensing mifepristone to keep a contract relationship with a physician, having hospital admitting privileges. It has also stipulated that the patient gets 2 or more drug doses than the 4 currently required by law. Mifepristone causes miscarriage when it is consumed in the first 2 months of pregnancy.