A federal judge is blocking part of Alabama's new abortion clinic law from taking effect.
U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson ruled Friday, siding with clinic operators that sued over the law.
Thompson says he needs time to review evidence, and temporarily prohibiting the law from taking effect protects the public from harm.
The part of the law at issue requires doctors at abortion clinics to have approval to admit patients to a nearby hospital.
Planned Parenthood Southeast Inc. filed suit trying to block the provision. The clinic operator says it's difficult for abortion clinic operators to get hospital privileges, and the law should shut down three of Alabama's five clinics.
Those clinics in Mobile, Montgomery and Birmingham performed 40 percent of the abortions at Alabama clinics last year.