Federal Court Strikes Down Idaho Abortion Restrictions

Law banned abortion after 20 weeks

Idaho has become the first state to have its so-called fetal pain law banning abortions after 20 weeks struck down by the federal courts.

The decision from U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill was handed down Wednesday as part of a ruling that also overturns other abortion restrictions in Idaho.

The ruling is binding only in Idaho but could have a persuasive effect in lawsuits challenging similar bans in other states - such as Arizona, where a suit is pending before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.