The Kentucky Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that the Commonwealths near total ban on abortion will remain in effect, denying a request from the ACLU and Planned Parenthood for emergency relief after a state appeals court allowed two bans to go into effect earlier this month.
Thursdays ruling follows a rollercoaster ride of legal activity: After a U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturned Roe v. Wade on June 24, Kentuckys strict trigger ban outlawing abortion even in cases of rape and incest went into effect. A week later, following a lawsuit from the ACLU and Planned Parenthood, a Jefferson Circuit Court judge granted a temporary restraining order allowing abortions to restart while litigation continues. But, on Aug. 1, Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron was granted an emergency request by a State Court of Appeals judge reinstating the states trigger ban, and another law that bans abortions around six weeks into pregnancy. Abortion has not been allowed in Kentucky since and the states two abortion providers halted services.
The states highest court said that it will now hear arguments about issues raised from both parties on Nov. 15.
In a statement on Thursday concerning the Kentucky Supreme Courts decision to keep abortion illegal while litigation is pending, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the ACLU of Kentucky on behalf of EMW Womens Surgical Center and Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawaii, Alaska, Indiana, Kentucky, said that abortion bans restricts access to healthcare.
The Supreme Courts decision to allow Kentuckys abortion bans to remain in effect puts nearly a million peoples health care in jeopardy, the statement said. Abortion is not only health care but also a critical individual freedom. Make no mistake: abortion bans result in tragic health outcomes and are a form of control over our bodies.
In another challenge to those who support abortion rights, later this year a ballot question will ask Kentucky voters if they want to add an amendment to the states constitution declaring that abortion is not a constitutionally protected right in the Commonwealth.
On Twitter, Kentucky Attorney General Cameron, an anti-abortion Republican, called Thursdays ruling a victory for life and the rule of law.
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This article appears in August 17, 2022.
