Eagles agreed with those concerns and issued a preliminary injunction in September, calling the provision “unconstitutionally vague.”

In that order, Eagles said the restriction on medication abortions didn’t provide physicians with “a clear standard,” was “open to differing interpretations,” didn’t provide “reasonable notice of what is prohibited,” and could subject physicians to “arbitrary accusations that they have violated the provision.”

Eagles temporarily blocked another provision in that order as well.

That provision would have required anyone trying to terminate their pregnancy after 12 weeks — under one of the law’s exceptions for rape and incest, fetal abnormalities, or severe medical emergencies — to have the procedure in a hospital. That provision had also been temporarily blocked since September.

Where does the case stand now?

In June, Eagles heard arguments from attorneys representing Planned Parenthood South Atlantic; the N.C. Department of Justice; and Republican legislative leaders, who intervened in the case to defend the new law.

A bench trial had been scheduled for July 22, but Eagles decided after the hearing trial wouldn’t be needed, since her ruling would likely “resolve all issues in dispute,” and removed the case from the July trial calendar.

A ruling hasn’t been issued yet.

OB-GYN lawsuit over regulations on abortion pills

In the other case, a UNC Health OB-GYN sued North Carolina over regulations on the use of medication abortion.

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