Abortion will be legal in Kansas even if Roe v. Wade falls, the state Supreme Court just ruled

[riversedge]

Abortion will be legal in Kansas even if Roe v. Wade falls, the state Supreme Court just ruled


https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kansas-abortion-ruling-kansas-supreme-court-ruling-protects-abortion-access-2019-04-26-live-updates/



By Kate Smith

Updated on: April 26, 2019 / 8:52 PM / CBS News

The Kansas Supreme Court ruled on Friday that the state's constitution protects a women's right to abortion, a surprisingly pro-choice decision for the traditionally conservative state.

Thanks to the decision, even if Roe v. Wade were overturned, abortion would remain legal in Kansas, according to Geniveve Scott, the lead counsel on the lawsuit and a senior staff attorney at the Center for Reproductive Health. The decision will also make it much more difficult for the state to pass regulations restricting the procedure, like admitting privilege requirements and mandatory waiting periods, Scott said in a telephone interview with CBS News on Friday.

"This is an incredible decision that really defines what the legal standard now is in Kansas," Scott said in a telephone interview with CBS News on Friday. "It's extremely exciting."

Because the decision was made in the state's highest court, there is no path for appeal, she said.

"The recognition of inalienable natural rights in section 1 of the Kansas Constitution Bill of Rights is intended for all Kansans, including pregnant women," the court's decision reads.

Because the judges found that abortion was a part of a woman's "personal autonomy" protected by the state constitution, any regulations proposed by Kansas politicians that restrict access to abortion will now be held to "strict scrutiny," according to the nearly 200-page legal decision...............................

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[samnsara]

1. wash state as well...we may have to start an underground railroad...

[Buckeyeblue]

2. Interesting...is this the new strategy?

Establish the right at the state level so any SC ruling becomes irrelevant. I like it.

We still have to aggressively defend at the federal level because I think state constitutions are more easily amended but it's still a good strategy.

[MuseRider]

3. The righties are going insane

over this, as to be expected. If I could ask them one question it would probably be, "Wouldn't you be better suited to the ministry?" Honestly, whoever told them they were there to legislate us into their view of morality? BTW, how about allowing the Medicaid money into the state? Wanna prove your pro life statements? Leave this alone and start helping people in need rather than using them as a political baseball bat.

Supposedly they are preparing a constitutional amendment to prevent this from ever happening again. Sadly in Kansas it is anyone's guess how it will go over. Will there be enough to vote for this? Not sure, things do change here but it is tricky to even try to predict. Koch will start funding this as soon as it comes out.

[Ohiogal]

5. Yep.

“If you don’t believe in abortion, then don’t have one.” Why is this concept so hard for them to grasp?

[Ohiogal]

4. I wish Ohio would follow suit

But with the knuckle draggers we have in Columbus, it will never happen.