Federal judge blocks new Florida abortion law

Source: Associated Press

By GARY FINEOUT
Jul. 1, 2016 12:31 AM EDT

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A federal judge late Thursday blocked key portions of a new Florida law that places restrictions on abortions clinics in the state.

U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle issued his ruling just hours before the law passed by the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature was due to take effect.

Planned Parenthood challenged three parts of the law that Gov. Rick Scott signed into law earlier this year, including one that prevents any state or local funds from going to an organization if that organization also provides abortions. Planned Parenthood officials estimated that provision would prevent their clinics from receiving about $500,000 to pay for health care screenings and a school dropout prevention program.

Hinkle in his ruling said the provision is "based not on any objection to how the funds are being spent ... but solely because the recipients of the funds choose to provide abortions separate and apart from any public funding."


Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/135b184c1f9a420883f18abebf55df5c/federal-judge-blocks-new-florida-abortion-law

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