Idaho abortion ban temporarily blocked weeks before set to take effect

The lawsuit seeks to end Idaho's ban on abortions after cardiac activity is detected, before most women know they are pregnant.

The Idaho Supreme Court has temporarily blocked a new law that bans nearly all abortions in the state while a legal challenge plays out in court.

The court issued a stay on implementation of the bill, set to go into effect on April 22, in a ruling on Friday, more than a week after Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit seeking to reverse the restrictive abortion law.

The state has until April 28 to respond to the court.

The law bans abortions once cardiac activity in a fetus is detected, which happens at approximately six weeks of pregnancy. Many women are unaware at six weeks that they are pregnant.