A federal judge has allowed North Carolina’s 12-week abortion ban to take effect starting July 1, a decision that could significantly undercut access to abortion across the South.

Judge Catherine Eagles’ decision would block a provision requiring doctors to document in a medical record “the existence of an intrauterine pregnancy” when performing abortions for patients until July 14. Other components of the law are permitted to take effect.

Previously, abortion was legal in the state for up to 20 weeks. In addition to the ban on abortions after 12 weeks, the new law also adds an in-person visit requirement to its 72-hour waiting period. Before the law, patients were able to have their first visit over the phone, then go to the clinic several days later.

The state’s Planned Parenthood clinics sued to challenge the law, arguing that parts of it were vague or impossible to comply with. Eagles heard arguments from clinicians and Republican state lawmakers earlier this week, and on Tuesday the state legislature passed new legislation meant to address confusing elements of the ban, such as clarifying that it did not ban the use of medication abortion earlier than 12 weeks of pregnancy. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper signed that bill into law Thursday night.

The 12-week limit and in-person requirements will make it far more difficult for people from other states to travel to North Carolina for an abortion, clinicians told The 19th. In the year since Roe v. Wade was overturned, the state has emerged as a regional hub for people in the South seeking care, recording the third-largest increase in the number of abortion patients, per one study. Only Florida and Illinois have reported bigger numbers.

Read the full article about North Carolina's abortion bans by Shefali Luthra at The 19th.