A federal judge in Austin on Tuesday ruled that key components of Texas' abortion-sonogram law are unconstitutional, stopping the state from enforcing it until a court rules on a legal challenge filed on behalf of several obstetrician-gynecologists.

U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks said late Tuesday that the law, which was to take effect Thursday, violates the free speech rights of doctors and patients. He ordered that the state cannot impose penalties against doctors who don't fulfill its requirements.

"The Act's onerous requirements will surely dissuade or prevent many competent doctors from performing abortions, making it significantly more difficult for pregnant women to obtain abortions," wrote Sparks, granting the temporary injunction. "Forcing pregnant women to receive medical treatment from less-skilled providers certainly seems to be at odds with 'protecting the physical and psychological health and well-being of pregnant women,' one of the Act's stated purposes."

Attorney General Greg Abbott immediately announced he has filed a motion to appeal the ruling.

In a statement, Gov. Rick Perry said he has full confidence in Abbott's efforts to appeal.

"Every life lost to abortion is a tragedy, and today's ruling is a great disappointment to all Texans who stand in defense of life," said Perry. "This important sonogram legislation ensures that every Texas woman seeking an abortion has all the facts about the life she is carrying and understands the devastating impact of such a life-changing decision."

Routine in some cases

To those women seeking an abortion, the law would have required doctors to display an ultrasound image of the fetus, make the heartbeat audible and describe the fetus' dimensions, cardiac activity and internal and external organs.

More for you News Abortion statute can't be enforced

Sparks said all of those requirements violate First Amendment protections against state-ordered speech.

Sparks let stand the law's requirement that sonograms be performed at least 24 hours before an abortion, unless the patient lives 100 miles or more from the nearest provider. In that case, the wait would be shortened to two hours.

Sonograms already are routinely performed before abortions for diagnostic reasons. Typically, they are done the same day.

More Information READ THE PDF: Abortion Sonogram Ruling See More Collapse

The Center for Reproductive Rights in New York in June filed a class-action lawsuit on behalf of "Texas Medical Providers Performing Abortion Services," which the center described as being led by a San Antonio ob-gyn group. In a statement Tuesday night, the center applauded the ruling.

"Today's ruling is a huge victory for women in Texas and a clear signal to the state legislature that it went too far when it passed this law," said Nancy Northup, the center's president and CEO. "Politicians have no business telling doctors how to practice medicine or meddling in women's private medical decisions."

Patrick confident

Texas Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, a major champion of the law, said he wasn't surprised by the decision. Like Perry, he expressed confidence the law's constitutionality ultimately will be upheld.

"It is clear to me, from the inflammatory language in the order, that Judge Sparks was predisposed to this decision," said Patrick. "It is disappointing that a group from out-of-state that does not value life can successfully interfere with Texas' public policy."

Patrick's bill was signed into law by Perry in May, before he announced he was running for president. He classified the bill as "emergency legislation."

Potential evidence?

Sparks wrote that "it is difficult to avoid the troubling conclusion (that) the Texas Legislature either wants to permanently brand women who choose to get abortions or views these certifications as potential evidence to be used against physicians and women."

One of many anti-abortion measures passed by state legislatures this year, the Texas law would have brought a $10,000 fine and automatic loss of medical license to those doctors found to break it.

todd.ackerman@chron.com