Iowa Republicans’ 6-week abortion ban to take effect immediately: report

Days after calling for a special Senate session over a 6-week abortion ban, Iowa Republican Governor Kim Reynolds signed the legislation into law Friday, CNN reports.

Reynolds remained determined to sign the bill after the Iowa Supreme Court blocked the restrictive bill last month, allowing "the procedures to remain legal until about the 20th week of pregnancy."

Through her determination, the GOP leader decided to hold "a special legislative session" earlier this month, with the intention "of passing abortion restrictions" despite the court's decision.

READ MORE: 'Power hungry' Iowa governor to hold 'drastic' special session for anti-abortion law: report

The law, which "includes exceptions" for miscarriages, rape and incest, according to CNN, bans doctors "from providing most abortions after early cardiac activity can be detected in a fetus or embryo, commonly as early as six weeks into pregnancy, before many women know they are pregnant."

However, per the report, "guidelines on how physicians would be punished for violating the law are left up to Iowa's board of medicine to decide – leaving the potential for some vagueness in how the law ought to be enforced in the interim."

Although "the law is effective immediately, CNN reports it is already "facing a legal challenge after a group of abortion providers in the state filed a suit to try and stop the law."

READ MORE: 'Stupid, ridiculous self-righteous crap': Iowa grandma scorches Republicans’ six-week abortion ban

CNN's full report is available at this link.