Iowa ‘heartbeat ban’ bill becomes law

DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law the nation’s strictest abortion ban May 4.

Under the “heartbeat ban” law, physicians will be barred from performing most abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected. Experts said that heartbeat can be heard about six weeks into a pregnancy — often before a woman realizes she’s pregnant, The Des Moines Register reported.

The law will take effect July 1. Planned Parenthood of the Heartland and the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa said they plan to challenge the law. (TAB)