August 2023 – Page 3 – REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS ALERTS

08 Aug

What to know about Ohio’s Issue 1 ahead of today’s special election — and what it could mean for abortion rights

BarbraUnited StatesAbortion Rights, legislation, Ohio, United States

"Ohio voters will go to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in a closely watched special election to decide a question known as Issue 1, which could have a major impact on whether the right to an abortion becomes enshrined in the state constitution later this fall...."

07 Aug

What is Ohio’s Issue 1? What to know before you vote

BarbraUnited StatesAbortion Care, Abortion Rights, legislation, Ohio, United States

"If voters approve Issue 1, future amendments to the Ohio Constitution will need a 60% affirmative vote to pass, rather than the simple majority vote of 50% plus one vote that’s been in place since 1912...."

07 Aug

Office of the Attorney General Files Appeal to Texas Supreme Court, Blocking District Judge’s Ruling and Leaving Abortion Law in Place

BarbraUnited StatesAbortion Care, Abortion Rights, Lawsuit, legislation, Texas, United States

"In response to a Texas judge ruling Friday that said the state’s abortion ban must allow exceptions without doctors fearing the threat of criminal charges, the Office of the Attorney General filed what is called a Notice of Accelerated Interlocutory Appeal directly to the Texas Supreme Court...."

06 Aug

Ahead of Ohio abortion vote, Republicans try to change the rules

BarbraUnited StatesAbortion Rights, legislation, Ohio, United States

"A pro-choice referendum looked poised to win in the conservative state of Ohio this November. Now, Republican state legislators are accused of moving the goalposts...."

05 Aug

Colorado medical boards propose not banning ‘abortion reversal’ treatment

MollyUnited Statesabortion reversal, Colorado, Medical Board, United States

"Democratic state legislators passed a law this year to prohibit so-called "abortion reversal" treatment, moving to make Colorado the first state in the nation to ban the controversial practice. But that plan is now facing a major hurdle from state medical boards. Senate Bill 190, signed in April, classifies abortion reversal treatment as unprofessional conduct, subjecting medical workers who provide the treatment to professional discipline. But the bill allowed abortion reversal to be reclassified as professional conduct if the state medical, nursing and pharmacy boards all agree that it’s a valid medical practice. In a draft rule, the boards did not…

04 Aug

New law to make small change to Texas’ near-total abortion ban

MollyUnited StatesAbortion Ban, Abortion Rights, legislation, New Bill, Texas, United States

"Today, Texas has one of the strictest abortion bans in the country. Under state law, abortions are legal if the patient's life is at risk, but some doctors say that's not clearly defined. State law says doctors who perform abortions could face life in prison and fines of up to $100,000. That’s why Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, worked with a bipartisan group of lawmakers to clarify the law. “The purpose of [House Bill] 3058, the new bill, was to ensure that there was an affirmative defense for physicians, that they would not have to be concerned about liability for using their…

02 Aug

Idaho health care providers can refer patients for abortions out of state, judge rules

MollyUnited StatesAbortion Ban, Abortion Care, Abortion Rights, First Amendment, Healthcare, Idaho, Judge, Out of State, Ruling, Travel for Care, United Sates

"A federal judge has ruled that it would violate Idaho medical providers’ free speech rights to sanction them for referring patients to out-of-state abortion services, rejecting the state attorney general’s interpretation of Idaho’s abortion ban. Idaho’s law makes it illegal to perform or attempt to perform an abortion, a crime punishable by two to five years in prison. It also makes it unlawful for health care professionals to assist in the provision or attempted provision of one, with the penalty being the suspension or loss of their medical license...."

01 Aug

Idaho AG can’t prosecute providers for abortion referrals, federal judge orders in injunction

MollyUnited StatesAbortion Ban, Abortion Care, Abortion Referrals, Healthcare, Idaho, Injunction, Lawsuit, United States

"A federal judge in Idaho has granted a preliminary injunction barring Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador from taking legal action against medical providers who refer patients across state lines for abortion care and denied Labrador’s request to dismiss the case. U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill issued a 60-page opinion detailing his reasoning for the order on Monday evening. Winmill said the medical providers who sued Labrador established there was a genuine threat of prosecution that resulted in the chilling of their speech, which he called “a well-established concrete injury.” While the case proceeds, no charges can be brought by…

01 Aug

After yearlong fight, a near-total abortion ban is going into effect in Indiana

MollyUnited States15th State to Ban Abortions, Abortion Ban, Indiana, legal request, legislation, Planned Parenthood, State Laws, State Supreme Court, United States

"A sweeping ban on most abortions is scheduled to take effect today in Indiana. It would prohibit abortions at any point during pregnancy except if the woman's life or health is seriously at risk. Abortion would be permitted before 22 weeks of pregnancy if a "lethal fetal anomaly" is detected, or until 12 weeks of pregnancy in cases of rape or incest. Late Monday, Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers filed a last-minute legal request with the Indiana Supreme Court, asking the justices to rehear their previous legal challenge. The move may delay the law from taking effect by a…