MT judge stalls start date for upcoming abortion licensure requirement
The legal challenge against House Bill 937 is not over: A temporary restraining order blocks the new law from taking effect until further arguments on a lengthier injunction, which would put the brakes on that law over the duration of the case.
In his decision Wednesday, Lewis and Clark County District Court Judge Christopher Abbott set a hearing for those arguments for Oct. 30.
Blue Mountain Clinic of Missoula and All Families Healthcare of Whitefish earlier this month sought the restraining order, arguing the new law requires providers to comply with a licensure program the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services had not yet stood up. Helen Weems, an abortion provider and the founder of All Families Healthcare, is also a plaintiff in the lawsuit.
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"Today’s decision is critical for people accessing abortion care in Montana, and a defeat against extremist lawmakers who are seeking to ban abortion by any means," Aileen Gleizer of Blue Mountain Clinic said in a press release. "The temporary restraining order will allow our clinics to continue to provide high-quality abortion care."