A federal judge in Nashville, Tenn. issued a restraining order on Friday that would prevent a law from taking effect next week. The order allows two abortion clinics to remain open.
Three abortion clinics filed a lawsuit on Wednesday seeking to prevent two state abortion laws from taking effect on July 1. The first law would require abortion clinics that perform more than 50 abortions per year to be licensed as ambulatory surgical centers. The second law would require women wanting to have an abortion to attend counseling then wait 48 hours before the abortion procedure.
Four of the seven abortion clinics in Tennessee meet the guidelines of the ambulatory surgical centers. One is exempted, while two clinics- The Women's Center in Nashville and the Bristol Regional Women's Center in Bristol - are in danger of closing.
Both clinics argued that it would be impossible for them to meet the deadline since they were only allowed to start the application on June 16. Their representatives went to U.S. District Court Judge Kevin Sharp to block the ruling.
The judge agreed and issued a restraining order since the compliance and licensing process need months. The two clinics would need renovation and approval before they could get their licenses.
"It is simply not possible to complete this process in the time available before the law takes effect," wrote Sharp in the court order obtained by Reuters.
The court's decision is considered a victory for women who need safe and legal abortions.
"It's a huge win for women in that neck of the state," said attorney Scott Tift, who represents the plaintiffs in the case, to The Tennessean reported.
Another hearing is set for July 9, where it would be discussed if the temporary restraining order would be extended.
There were 16,115 abortions that took place in Tennessee in 2011, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
