Kansas high court signals continued abortion rights support
Multiple media outlets reported on two hearings in Center cases at the Kansas Supreme Court March 27 over several abortion restrictions, including a ban on the standard abortion procedure used after about 15 weeks of pregnancy and other medically unnecessary regulations. The Kansas Supreme Court ruled in 2019 that abortion is protected under the state’s constitution, and the regulations in question are currently blocked from being enforced. During the hearings, the court signaled that it still considers access to abortion a “fundamental” right under the state constitution.
The Center’s Staff Attorneys Alice Wang and Caroline Sacerdote, who argued the cases in court, are quoted. Sacerdote argued during the hearings that the regulations on abortion clinics were designed to make it more difficult to access abortion services and, contrary to the state’s claim, there is no evidence that they enhance patient safety.
“During the more than a decade since the laws were enacted, and since the state has agreed not to enforce these laws, the state has pointed to no health or safety issue regarding abortion care at a facility in the state, much less any issue that these laws would address,” Sacerdote said in her closing argument.
Watch a replay.
Kansas Supreme Court – YouTube
View recordings of the hearings.
Read the articles here:
- “Kansas high court signals continued abortion rights support,” AP News, 03.27.23
- “Kansas’ high court hearing arguments on multiple abortion laws,” KAKE, 03.27.23
- “Kansas law singling out abortion clinics contested at high court,” Kansas Reflector, 03.27.23
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