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INDIANAPOLIS -- Opponents of an Indiana measure banning women from getting abortions because of fetal genetic defects say they plan fight the law in court.
Indiana's Planned Parenthood affiliate says Republican Gov. Mike Pence injected his personal ideology into public health policy in deciding to sign the bill Thursday.
The group says it is working with the American Civil Liberties Union and expects to ask a judge to put the law on hold before it takes effect in July.
The law would also prohibit abortions from being performed because of a fetus's race, sex or ancestry, and it mandates that the only way to dispose of an aborted fetus is through burial or cremation.
With his signature Thursday afternoon, Pence made Indiana the second state with such a ban. North Dakota adopted similar restrictions in 2013.
The governor said in a statement that he believe the legislation takes "an important step in protecting the unborn."
The bill has been criticized by medical professionals and several female Republican members of the Indiana legislature, who say it goes too far in telling women what they can and cannot do.
The Democratic Governors Association was quick to criticize Pence for signing the bill into law.
“Mike Pence has shown yet again that his priorities are out of step with Indiana," said DGA Communications Director Jared Leopold.
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