Louisiana court blocks enforcement of state's trigger law outlawing abortion

NEW ORLEANS — A Louisiana state court on Monday blocked enforcement of Louisiana's trigger law that outlawed abortion immediately after the U.S. Supreme Court reversed its historic Roe v. Wade ruling Friday that allows individual states to regulate abortion.

New Orleans Civil District Court Judge Robin Giarrusso issued a temporary restraining order preventing enforcement after a Shreveport abortion clinic filed a lawsuit earlier Monday challenging Louisiana's trigger law.

Giarrusso's order is in effect until a hearing that she set on July 8.

The Center for Reproductive Rights filed the lawsuit on behalf of Hope Medical Group for Women (the Shreveport Clinic), Hope's administrator Kathaleen Pittman and Medical Students for Choice. 

All three of Louisiana's abortion clinics in Shreveport, Baton Rouge and New Orleans closed Friday after the Supreme Court ruling was issued. It's unclear whether they will reopen after Monday's court action.

USA Today Network is seeking a comment from Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry.

Louisiana's trigger law, which was passed in 2006 and updated this month through a bill by Democratic Monroe Sen. Katrina Jackson, made abortion illegal with no exceptions for rape and incest.

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"People who need an abortion right now are in a state of panic," Center for Reproductive Rights President Nancy Northup said in a statement. "We will be fighting to restore access in Louisiana and other states for as long as we can. Every day that a clinic is open and providing abortion services can make a difference in a person’s life.”

The lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of what it describes as "vague trigger laws"  which it says makes it impossible to tell whether any of the laws are in effect, which ones are in effect and what would be prohibited.

One of the few exceptions in the Louisiana trigger law to allow an abortion is saving the life of the mother.

“Seeking reproductive care is already difficult in the U.S., and especially in Louisiana," Pittman said in a statement. "Now, as state governments are trying to ban abortion throughout the country, including in Louisiana, my heart is with our patients whose entire lives and future may change based on the next few days.

"We are committed to this monumental legal challenge – not to perpetuate an endless political battle, but to ensure our patients’ wellbeing and so that they may draw strength from our dedication to this fight.”

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.