A judge in Ohio temporarily halted several state laws that together required a 24-hour waiting period for obtaining an abortion, marking the first court decision influenced by the 2023 constitutional amendment guaranteeing abortion rights. Franklin County Common Pleas Judge David C. Young stated that the amendment’s language was “clear and unambiguous,” ruling that the statutes in question unfairly burden abortion patients and providers. The laws included mandates such as in-person visits and the dissemination of specific information to those seeking abortions, none of which, Young argued, advanced patient health.
Jessie Hill, a cooperating attorney for the ACLU of Ohio, praised the decision as a “historic victory” for both abortion patients and Ohio voters, emphasizing that the state’s new constitutional amendment protects reproductive rights as intended. Hill indicated that efforts would continue to make the temporary injunction permanent.
Republican Attorney General Dave Yost announced plans to appeal, with his office maintaining that the waiting period and informed consent laws are vital safety measures, upheld even under the now-overturned Roe v. Wade. Despite recognizing the new constitutional protections for reproductive rights, Yost’s office disagreed with the court’s ruling, emphasizing the importance of ensuring women receive proper care before making voluntary decisions.
Ohio Abortion Waiting Period Law Halted in Wake of 2023 Amendment
A judge in Ohio has temporarily blocked several abortion-related laws, including a 24-hour waiting period, following the 2023 constitutional amendment protecting abortion access. Franklin County Common Pleas Judge David C. Young found that these laws violated the clear intent of the amendment, which guarantees the right to abortion. The case, brought by abortion clinics and physicians, challenged rules like in-person visit requirements and specific information disclosures, which Young said did not improve patient health outcomes. The ACLU of Ohio hailed the decision as a major win for reproductive freedom, while Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost plans to appeal.
Source: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2024-08-23/judge-blocks-24-hour-waiting-period-for-abortions-in-ohio-citing-2023-reproductive-rights-amendment