Assistant Attorney General Incorrectly Asserts Six-Week Abortion Ban Rules Will Go Into Effect Before Iowa Supreme Court Ruling

Des Moines, IA — The Iowa Attorney General’s Office incorrectly told legislators yesterday that administrative rules outlining how the state would implement a six-week abortion ban would go into effect before the Iowa Supreme Court has a chance to rule on the validity of the law. 

 The gaffe happened while the Iowa Board of Medicine presented its proposed rules for enacting the law banning abortion at about six weeks to the Iowa Administrative Rules Committee, the last step in finalizing them.  

 The Board was unable to provide details, such as when the rules would go into effect, with its interim director telling lawmakers she didn’t have a copy of the rules with her. Assistant Attorney General Leif Olson stepped in saying they would go into effect April 24, adding the board won’t initiate any disciplinary proceedings for alleged violations until the Iowa Supreme Court releases its ruling on an injunction that has prevented the ban from going into effect. That decision is expected by the end of the Court’s term in late June. The Attorney General’s Office did not clarify if the Board will retroactively pursue charges. 

 “Yesterday’s comments from the Attorney General’s office only further the manufactured confusion created by this dangerous law. Patients and providers want one thing, and that’s access to essential health care,” said Ruth Richardson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States. “Abortion, for now, remains safe and legal. But it’s hanging by a thread because of this law that, if enacted, would outlaw most abortions in Iowa.  Planned Parenthood is committed to providing high-quality, comprehensive care as long as we can legally do so. Iowans trust Planned Parenthood for access to safe and legal abortion, among a whole host of essential health care services, and we will continue to be there for them.”   

 Iowa lawmakers passed the law banning abortion at about six weeks last year during an unprecedented one-day special session. A lower court blocked the law from taking effect while it is challenged in Iowa courts. However, it permitted the Board of Medicine to move forward with creating rules to govern abortion providers in the event that the court lifted the injunction. Oral arguments about the law are scheduled to take place this Thursday at the Iowa Supreme Court. A decision could happen at any time after arguments, likely before the end of the Court’s Spring term in late June. 

 “Yesterday’s presentation before lawmakers is just another example of why decisions about health care belong between patients and actual medical providers – not politicians or bureaucrats,” said Mazie Stilwell, Iowa Director of Public Affairs for Planned Parenthood North Central States. “The Iowa Supreme Court hasn’t even heard oral arguments in the case challenging this unconstitutional law, and the Attorney General’s office is attempting to circumvent their authority. There are a lot of questions surrounding this ban, and rightfully so. Iowans don’t support this dangerous ban and we won’t stop fighting for our collective reproductive freedom.” 

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Planned Parenthood North Central States and its subsidiary organizations provide, promote, and protect reproductive and sexual health through high quality care, education and advocacy. A member of America’s most trusted reproductive health care provider, our affiliate is proud to support and operate 24 health centers across our five-state region (Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota).  Each year, we provide health care to nearly 100,000 people and health education to more than 50,000 people in our region