Oklahoma Ultrasound Law Blocked Until 2011

A district judge ruled this morning that the controversial law will not go into effect until at least January 21 of next year, when it will receive another hearing.

A federal judge in Oklahoma has ruled this morning that the temporary restraining order against a law declaring women in the state must obtain an ultrasound before having an abortion will stay in place, at least until next year.

Via the Associated Press:

A judge has issued an injunction extending a temporary restraining order blocking enforcement of an Oklahoma law that would require women seeking abortions to have an ultrasound and hear a description of the fetus.

At a hearing Monday, Oklahoma County District Judge Noma Gurich said the order would remain in effect at least until a hearing Jan. 21. The law had already been temporarily blocked in May after the Center for Reproductive Rights in New York sued to have it declared unconstitutional.

The courtroom was primarily filled with those who opposed the law, according to Tulsa World:

[Oklahoma County District Judge Noma] Gurich on Monday made the ruling in a courtroom packed with women and men wearing pink, many of whom are affiliated with the recently formed Oklahoma Coalition for Reproductive Justice.

Coalition President Martha Skeeters of Norman said “people are finally fed up with abusive legislation.”

“Government is out of control,” Skeeters said.

She said the law is something everyone should be concerned about because it is a waste of money.

People should ask their lawmakers how they voted on House Bill 2780, Skeeters said.

The Center for Reproductive Rights gave a statement via press release on the judge’s ruling:

“Today’s ruling is a great victory for women in Oklahoma. The government has no business mandating to doctors how to practice medicine and intruding in women’s private medical decisions,” said Stephanie Toti, staff attorney at the Center for Reproductive Rights. “Politicians should leave health care to medical professionals and health decisions to individuals.”

The next hearing on the law is scheduled for January 21, 2011.