A federal appeals court upheld New York’s 2019 law meant to strengthen abortion laws and codify the Roe v. Wade decision into state law.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed a lower court decision on the constitutionality of the Reproductive Health Act. It allows a pregnancy to be terminated after 24 weeks if a woman’s life is in danger or the fetus is not viable. It allows a licensed or certified health care practitioner to perform abortions.

Challengers who filed suit against the law alleged it violated the constitutional rights of various expected mothers, doctors, social workers and fetuses, including equal protection under the Fourteenth Amendment and legal redress under the First Amendment.

“From the halls of Congress to state capitals across this country, extreme politicians are trying to strip away reproductive freedoms. In New York, we're standing up for women's health and defending abortion rights,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement. “So to anyone who tries to strip away these fundamental freedoms from my constituents, I have a clear message: Not here, not now, not ever.”