Current:Home > FinanceIndiana Supreme Court ruled near-total abortion ban can take effect -InfinityFinance
Indiana Supreme Court ruled near-total abortion ban can take effect
View
Date:2025-04-14 11:37:49
The Indiana Supreme Court ruled on Friday that the state's near-total abortion ban can take effect.
The legislation — among the strictest in the nation — bans abortion except in cases of rape, incest, and to protect the life and physical health of the mother, and will now be put into place as soon as August 1, the ACLU of Indiana said.
In a 66-page opinion, Justice Derek R. Molter, writing on behalf of the court's majority opinion, said the state has broad authority to protect the public's health, welfare, and safety, and "extends to protecting prenatal life."
Plaintiffs, including Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers, filed the challenge saying that the abortion legislation criminalizes their work. Stopping the injunction would protect the providers from criminal and other penalties. They also said the law clashes with the state's constitution.
But the judges argued that the General Assembly is generally permitted to prohibit abortions that are unnecessary to protect a woman's life or health, within constitutional limits, so the law doesn't conflict with the constitution. Molter wrote that the state can implement the law within constitutional parameters and the opinion can vacate the preliminary injunction.
In the decision, Molter wrote that while the judges "recognize that many women view the ability to obtain an abortion as an exercise of their bodily autonomy," he wrote, "it does not follow that it is constitutionally protected in all circumstances."
In a news statement, the ACLU of Indiana said the ruling "will deprive more than 1.5 million people in Indiana—particularly Black, Latino, and Indigenous people, people with low incomes, and LGBTQ+ people, who already face challenges when seeking medical care—of life-saving, essential care."
They said that patients will be "forced either to flee the state" to get abortions. Or patients will get abortions "outside of the healthcare system" or remain pregnant "against their will" with potentially serious medical, financial and emotional outcomes.
"This is a serious setback, but the fight isn't over," they wrote.
In August 2022, Indiana became the first state to pass new legislation restricting access to abortions since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
Legislative exceptions for abortions for rape and incest victims are limited to 10 weeks of fertilization. Abortions are also allowed if a fetus has a lethal anomaly.
- In:
- Indiana
- Abortion
Cara Tabachnick is a news editor for CBSNews.com. Contact her at cara.tabachnick@cbsinteractive.com
veryGood! (13881)
Related
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- Hurricanes like Helene are deadly when they strike and keep killing for years to come
- Georges Media Group names Kevin Hall as its next publisher
- Best Early Prime Day Pet Deals: Unleash 60% Off Dog Seat Belts, Cologne, Brushes & More as Low as $4.49
- Nearly 400 USAID contract employees laid off in wake of Trump's 'stop work' order
- Dakota Fanning Details Being Asked “Super Inappropriate Questions” as a Child Star
- Former Packers RB Eddie Lacy arrested, charged with 'extreme DUI'
- Washington airman receives award after carrying injured 79-year-old hiker down trail
- 'Most Whopper
- Daniel Day-Lewis Returning to Hollywood After 7-Year Break From Acting
Ranking
- Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
- Travis Kelce Reacts to Making Chiefs History
- Lauryn Hill sued by Fugees' Pras Michel for fraud and breach of contract after tour cancellation
- UC says federal law prevents it from hiring undocumented students. A lawsuit seeks to change that
- Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
- Andrew Garfield Reveals He's Never Used His Real Voice for a Movie Until Now
- Jonathan Majors’ ‘Magazine Dreams’ lands theatrical release for early 2025
- Watch a sailor's tears at a surprise welcome home from her dad
Recommendation
Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, College Food
Bankruptcy judge issues new ruling in case of Colorado football player Shilo Sanders
US stocks drop, oil climbs over Iran strike amid escalating Mideast tensions
Meta donates $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund
Sean “Diddy” Combs Accused of Abusing Minors Amid New Allegations
Looking for Taylor Swift's famous red lipstick? Her makeup artist confirms the brand
Watch a sailor's tears at a surprise welcome home from her dad