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Judge won't rescind order that blocks enforcement of abortion law

World Can't Wait | Flickr

A judge is extending an order that protects abortion providers from prosecution under a 1931 state law. This means abortion services remain available in 13 Michigan counties that have abortion clinics.

Oakland County prosecutor Karen McDonald attended the hearing. She said the restraining order protects medical professionals from prosecution until the case is decided.

"And while I'm very concerned about medical professionals, the real — the real issue here is we need to give stability and safety to women in this state that they know what the state of the law is because it's their bodies."

The next hearing in the case is August 17th.

Separately, Governor Gretchen Whitmer has also asked the Michigan Supreme Court to declare abortion rights protected under the state constitution.