Tennessee 6-Week Abortion Ban Can Take Effect Immediately

TENNESSEE — Tennessee's "fetal heartbeat" six-week abortion ban can take effect immediately following a federal court ruling Tuesday.

The Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals vacated an injunction from a lower court on the law at the state's request following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision last week to overturn federal abortion protections granted in Roe v. Wade.

A more restrictive ban in which nearly all abortions are prohibited is set to take effect in a month. The trigger law makes an exception when the life of the pregnant woman is in immediate danger. There are no exceptions for rape, incest or mental illness.

Both laws make performing an abortion a felony carrying a sentence of up to 15 years in prison.

Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi announced Tuesday it was suspending abortion services in Tennessee in light of the ruling.

"The ban will disproportionately impact those who have always faced systemic barriers to care, including communities of color, young people, and people with limited incomes," said Hedy Weinberg, executive director at ACLU of Tennessee. "With our partners, we will take the fight for control of our own bodies to the streets, to the capitol, and to the ballot box, until we have the power to make the best decisions for ourselves and our families."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.