Preliminary injunction granted in case against S.B. 1, pausing abortion ban

By Natalie Hoefer

On Sept. 22, a special judge issued a preliminary injunction on Senate Bill 1 (S.B. 1), a new Indiana abortion law that gives legal protection to most unborn babies. The injunction will put the law on hold while the judge reviews arguments for a suit filed on Aug. 30 by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers operating in the state. 

The preliminary injunction temporarily reinstates access to abortion in Indiana up to 22 weeks gestation as allowed by state law prior to Sept. 15, the date when S.B. 1 went into effect. The preliminary injunction will remain in effect until a decision on the case is made. 

S.B. 1 was passed by the Indiana General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Eric Holcomb on Aug. 5. In part, it banned abortion in Indiana except for cases of rape, incest and particular serious medical complications and emergencies. 

On Sept. 19, special judge Kelsey Hanlon of the Owen County Circuit Court heard arguments from lawyers for the plaintiff and defendant—listed as Members of the Medical Licensing Board of Indiana, et. al—regarding the lawsuit. The case was filed in Bloomington in Monroe County. Hanlon, a Republican, received the case after three Monroe County judges, all Democrats, passed on it.  

In the order issued today granting a preliminary injunction on S.B. 1, Judge Hanlon stated:

With the benefit of additional time to consider the requested injunctive relief, and having considered the record of evidence, the text of the relevant provisions of the Indiana Constitution, the relevant case law, and the thoughtfully presented arguments and submissions of Counsel for all Parties, the Court concludes that injunctive relief is warranted. Accordingly, the Court GRANTS the Plaintiffs’ Motion for Preliminary Injunction and prohibits the Defendants’ enforcement of S.B. 1, pending decision on the merits in this matter. 

In response to the preliminary injunction, Indiana Right to Life CEO Mike Fichter issued a statement that the “blockage of Indiana’s new law means over 161 unborn children will continue to lose their lives to abortion every week this injunction stays in effect. We are encouraged by the judge’s acknowledgement of the state’s legitimate interest in protecting unborn babies and are hopeful the blockage will be brief.” 

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita also issued a statement, noting that, “We plan to appeal and continue to make the case for life in Indiana. Our office remains determined to fight for the lives of the unborn, and this law provides a reasonable way to begin doing that.” 

The Indiana Catholic Conference, the public policy voice for the Church in Indiana, said, “The Indiana Catholic Conference was encouraged by the new law, SB 1, which will protect more pre-born babies. We respect the legal process, but are disappointed that while the injunction is in place more lives could be lost. We pray for an ultimate decision that will promote a culture of life and respect the dignity of the pre-born.” †