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Judge Upholds Ban On Abortion Counseling; Noem Pledges Appeal

Planned Parenthood

Gov. Kristi Noem says she will appeal a court ruling in the hopes of reinstating a law that requires women to visit a pregnancy help center before having an abortion. 

The 2011 law says women must attend a counseling session. 

Planned Parenthood sued and a federal judge temporarily banned South Dakota from enforcing the law. The judge said it likely creates an undue burden for women seeking abortions. 

South Dakota challenged that temporary ban. 

Governor Kristi Noem said in a news release that the law represents the will of the people, and pointed to an upcoming U.S. Supreme Court hearing that could significantly limit when women can have an abortion. 

But the judge said the facts on the ground haven’t changed. She said Friday that the law will remain on hold until she makes a final ruling. 

The decision will be appealed to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.