A federal magistrate has scheduled a hearing for Sept. 16 on a request to block enforcement of a new Kansas law restricting private insurance coverage for abortions.

Magistrate Kenneth Gale, in Wichita, will hear arguments from attorneys in lawsuit filed earlier this month by the American Civil Liberties Union. Gale will make a recommendation to U.S. District Judge Wesley Brown on whether the law should be blocked until a trial of the lawsuit.

The 104-year-old judge referred the case Friday to Gale, who then scheduled the hearing.

The new law, which took effect in July, prohibits insurance companies from offering coverage for elective abortions as part of their general health plans. People who want such coverage must purchase separate, abortion-only policies.