The Kansas Supreme Court struck down two laws restricting abortion on Friday, affirming its prior interpretation that ending a pregnancy remains a constitutionally protected right in Kansas.
In two 5-1 opinions, the court built on a 2019 decision in which it said the state’s Constitution protects abortion rights and lawmakers seeking to restrict abortion must meet a high “strict scrutiny” test.
When Republican lawmakers asked voters, in 2022, to amend the constitution to stipulate that it does not protect abortion rights, Kansans overwhelmingly declined to do so.
A large majority of patients at Kansas abortion clinics now come from Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas and farther afield.
The court’s majority upheld lower court rulings that two laws restricting abortion — passed several years ago by Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature — were unconstitutional.
The Center for Reproductive Rights represented the Kansas doctors who challenged the laws.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment told providers it will “not, for now” enforce the abortion reasons law, providers said Monday. »