A state judge on Monday struck down two laws restricting abortion in Wyoming, ruling that they violate the state Constitution's protection that patients can decide on the health care choices that are best for them.
The first law completely prohibited abortion, with exceptions when the mother's life was in danger or involved rape or incest. The second law to be rejected was the first to ban medical abortion.
Teton County District Judge Melissa Owens said the two laws “thwart the fundamental right of an entire class of pregnant women to make health care decisions.”
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Medications for terminating a pregnancy can be seen in front of an ultrasound image in the gynecologist's office.
“Defendants have not established a compelling governmental interest in preventing pregnant women from fully enjoying the protections afforded by the Wyoming Constitution throughout their pregnancies, and defendants have not established that the abortion law does not protect their interests. “We have not established that this will be accomplished,” Owens wrote. “The court concluded that the abortion law suspends a woman's right to make her own health care decisions throughout her pregnancy and is neither reasonable nor necessary to protect the public health and general welfare.”
Owens put Wyoming's ban on hold last year to hear arguments from both sides about the measure's constitutionality or lack thereof.
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The ban was challenged by a women's group that included two obstetricians and two nonprofit organizations.
Counter-protesters try to block the National Men's March to abolish abortion and rally for moral rights in Boston on November 16, 2024. (Photo by Joseph Prezioso/AFP)
“This is a great day for the people of Wyoming and for women around the world who should be in control of their own bodies,” said Julie Burkhart, president of Wellspring Health Access, one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit.
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The ruling comes after voters in seven states passed ballot measures earlier this month supporting loosening restrictions on abortion. Meanwhile, three states voted to keep restrictions in place.
Currently, 13 states have abortion bans in place with limited exceptions, including four states that ban abortions starting at the sixth week of a woman's pregnancy. According to ABC News.
