In a landmark ruling on Monday, Teton County District Court Judge Melissa Owens blocked Wyoming’s stringent abortion laws, including a ban on medication abortions, affirming that abortion remains legal in the state for the time being. Judge Owens determined that these laws violate the Wyoming Constitution, which guarantees that “a competent adult shall have the right to make his or her own health care decisions.”
Judge Owens criticized the laws, stating they are “not reasonable or necessary to protect the health and general welfare of the people.” Her decision came in response to a lawsuit filed by Wellspring Health Access, Wyoming’s only abortion clinic, alongside healthcare providers and women who argued that these restrictions infringe upon their rights.
The ruling specifically addressed two laws: a near-total ban on abortions with limited exceptions for rape, incest, and medical emergencies, and a prohibition on medication abortions. Both laws were enacted following the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision allowing states to impose their own abortion regulations. The judge noted that these statutes effectively suspend a woman’s right to make her own healthcare decisions throughout her pregnancy.
“This is a wonderful day for the citizens of Wyoming—and women everywhere who should have control over their own bodies,” stated Julie Burkhart, President of Wellspring Health Access.
The state is expected to appeal this ruling to the Wyoming Supreme Court, which is composed of judges appointed by Republican governors known for opposing abortion rights. Governor Mark Gordon and Attorney General Bridget Hill did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the ruling.
Medication abortion, which involves the use of mifepristone and misoprostol within the first ten weeks of pregnancy, accounts for a significant portion of abortions performed in the U.S. As anti-abortion groups seek to restrict access to these medications nationwide, this ruling represents a crucial moment for reproductive rights in Wyoming.
As this legal battle unfolds, advocates remain committed to ensuring access to safe and legal abortion services in Wyoming and beyond. The outcome of this case could set important precedents for reproductive rights across the country.
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