Georgia’s controversial abortion law has been blocked by a federal judge, following a trend of judges stopping restrictive abortion laws passed by state legislatures from taking effect.

U.S. District Judge Steve Jones ruled that Georgia’s existing laws regarding abortion are to remain in effect.

Currently in Georgia, abortion is illegal after 20 weeks.

The new law, known as the heartbeat law, would have banned abortion after a heartbeat had been detected. It was going to go into effect Jan. 1.

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The American Civil Liberties Union, the Center for Reproductive Rights and Planned Parenthood asked a federal judge to block the law while their lawsuit against the state makes its way through the courts.

That lawsuit was filed in June.