Appeals court blocks Tennessee Down syndrome abortion ban

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A panel of federal judges has reversed course and blocked a Tennessee restriction that outlaws abortions because of a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome, or because of the race or gender of the fetus.

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel ruling Friday also kept a six-week abortion ban blocked.

Tennessee Republican Gov. Bill Lee enacted the restrictions last year as part of a sweeping anti-abortion measure.

The law gained national attention because it banned abortion as early as six weeks — making it one of the strictest in the country.

Another three-judge panel of the 6th Circuit last year had allowed the so-called reasons ban to take effect while the litigation proceeded.

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