Judge grants temporary restraining order blocking Utah’s abortion law

SALT LAKE CITY – A Utah judge has granted Planned Parenthood’s request for a temporary restraining order blocking Utah’s abortion law, trigged by a recent ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court.

During Monday’s hearing, the attorney representing Planned Parenthood, Julie Murray, argued that the state is breaking the status quo as, after 50 years, women’s rights have drastically changed overnight.

Murray said that the law jeopardizes women’s emotional, physical, and financial situations. She also argued that the Utah Constitution protects citizens from laws that block their equal individual rights.

Meanwhile, attorney Tyler Green who represents the state, argued that there needs to be more analysis of what the Utah Constitution can and can’t protect.

Green stated that if this was a case of individual rights, individual plaintiffs should be named, and Planned Parenthood should not be challenging the law.

However, Murray argued that abortion providers do have a third-party status to bring claims.

After statements were given, Judge Andrew Stone granted the temporary restraining order against the state. He explained that the state needs to maintain the status quo as there could be irreparable harm to physicians and employees of Planned Parenthood.

He said the law, recently put into effect, could harm doctors and women more than the state as they could face felony charges. Stone said that this is a relatively new issue that needs more insight into state laws and its constitution.

The restraining order will last for 14-days, and the court will reconvene before July 11.