The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that two anti-abortion laws recently passed by the state Legislature are unconstitutional and cannot be enforced. One of the laws would require women to have an ultrasound procedure before an abortion and hear a detailed description of the fetus, and the other would restrict the use of medication to end a pregnancy.
The Center for Reproductive Rights filed legal challenges against both laws in April 2010 and October 2011, respectively, arguing that they violate the principles of medical ethics and undermine women’s ability to exercise the full range of constitutionally protected reproductive rights. The district court judge in both cases granted permanent injunctions against the two laws.
On Tuesday, following appeals by the state, the Oklahoma Supreme Court reaffirmed the lower court’s decisions that the laws are “facially unconstitutional.”
It’s hard to believe that Oklahoma might be more progressive than Virginia. Would Virginia’s new anti-abortion laws get shot down in the State Supreme Court? Between ultra-sounds and mini hospital status for abortion providers only, it seems like some court would have something to say on the constitutionality of it all, here in the Old Dominion.
