Summary
Wyoming's top court ruled that abortion will remain legal in the state, striking down two laws that nearly banned the procedure, citing a violation of the state constitution. The court's decision challenges laws that included the first U.S. ban on abortion pills, which were passed by the state's legislature.
Key Facts
- Wyoming's Supreme Court invalidated laws that nearly banned abortion.
- The court said the laws violated the state's constitution, which protects a woman's right to make healthcare decisions.
- The legal challenge was brought by four women, two obstetricians, an abortion advocacy group, and Wellspring Health Access, the only abortion provider in Wyoming.
- The case revolved around two laws: one banning most abortions, the other explicitly banning abortion pills.
- Abortion pills are the most common method of ending pregnancies in the U.S.
- Governor Mark Gordon, a Republican, wants a constitutional amendment to ban abortion in Wyoming.
- Since 2022, over a dozen U.S. states have attempted to enact strict abortion bans post the reversal of Roe v. Wade.
- Some of these laws have been temporarily blocked by courts.
