Baton Rouge judge blocks Louisiana's abortion ban again; hearing set Monday

A Baton Rouge judge has temporarily blocked Louisiana's trigger law outlawing abortion, opening the door for the state's three abortion clinics to reopen.

It's the second time a temporary restraining order has blocked enforcement of the law. The first one expired Friday when a New Orleans judge ruled the lawsuit challenging the ban must play out in 19th District Court.

Judge Don Johnson, who issued the temporary restraining order late Tuesday, has set a Monday hearing for both sides to argue whether the injunction should remain in place.

It was unclear late Tuesday whether any of the abortion providers — Hope Medical Group in Shreveport, Delta Clinic in Baton Rouge and Women's Health Care Center in New Orleans — will reopen at least until Monday's hearing.

Abortion ban:New Orleans police, prosecutor, City Council plan to ignore Louisiana abortion ban

Meanwhile, a Baton Rouge clinic that offers alternatives to abortions was vandalized Tuesday, Baton Rouge police reported.

"Fake clinic" and "not safe" were among the phrases written in red spray paint on the Women's New Life Center's building and signs. No arrests have been made.

Louisiana's 2006 trigger law, updated by Democratic Monroe Sen. Katrina Jackson's bill this summer, was designed to take effect immediately following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn the Roe v. Wade decision guaranteeing legal abortions.

Vetoes:Louisiana Legislature won't meet to override Governor John Bel Edwards' vetoes

But Shreveport's Hope Medical Group for Women filed a lawsuit asking to block the trigger law, arguing its "vague" language makes it impossible to tell whether any of the laws are in effect, which ones are in effect, and what would be prohibited.

Louisiana's trigger law outlaws virtually all abortions with an exception for saving the life of the mother, but no exceptions for rape or incest.

It carries criminal penalties of up to 15 years for doctors who perform abortions but exempts pregnant women from prosecution.

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.