The Indiana Court of Appeals issued a partial win to residents contesting the state’s near-total abortion ban, stating it violates religious freedom laws.

A three-judge panel supported the exemption of residents with religious objections to the ban, though its immediate impact remains pending a potential challenge in the state Supreme Court within 45 days.

This decision follows earlier legal battles, including a county judge’s ruling favoring the plaintiffs, represented by the ACLU of Indiana.

The ruling has been met with cautious optimism from advocates, signaling ongoing legal debates surrounding abortion rights in the state.