Judge sets November hearing on Indiana abortion mandate

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - A federal judge has set a November hearing on Planned Parenthood's bid to block a new Indiana mandate that women undergo an ultrasound at least 18 hours before having an abortion.

U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Walton Pratt set the Nov. 9 hearing on the preliminary injunction request after Planned Parenthood sought to delay a previously scheduled Oct. 28 hearing.

Planned Parenthood of Kentucky and Indiana sued the state after the mandate took effect July 1, arguing that it is unconstitutional and will prevent some women from getting abortions.

The requirement that women undergo ultrasounds at least 18 hours before having an abortion replaces Indiana's previous requirement that women to get an ultrasound before having an abortion. That mandate did not specify when that ultrasound had to occur.