Six-week abortion ban signed by Mississippi Governor, blocked by courts

In February, Mississippi’s House and Senate passed dueling six-week abortion bans - SB 2116 and HB 732.

Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant signed SB 2116, a bill that would serve as a de facto ban on abortion - outlawing the procedure before most women even know they’re pregnant. The bill was set to go into effect in July.

Time and time again, the courts have confirmed similar abortion bans are unconstitutional and this was no different. Last week, Judge Carlton Reeves blocked the six-week ban with a preliminary injunction. Last year, Reeves also ruled that a 15-week ban in Mississippi was unconstitutional because it “unequivocally” violated women’s constitutional rights.

“These bills would ban abortion - outlawing the procedure before most women even know they’re pregnant,” said Felicia Brown-Williams, Mississippi State Director at Planned Parenthood Southeast Advocates. “Individual rights and freedoms go to the heart of who we are as a country, including the right to access safe and legal abortion. Mississippians should be able to make their own most personal health care decisions without politicians controlling when, how, or why.”