Oklahoma Supreme Court Temporarily Blocks Abortion Laws
Meanwhile, a federal appeals court sets the first week in January to hear arguments about a new abortion law in Texas.
The New York Times:
Oklahoma Supreme Court Blocks 2 Abortion Laws
The Oklahoma Supreme Court on Tuesday blocked two new laws that critics say may have made it difficult for women to obtain abortions in the state. The measures, approved by the State Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Mary Fallin, took effect Nov. 1. But in a unanimous decision released Tuesday, the State Supreme Court voted to prevent enforcement of the rules until lawsuits challenging their constitutionality are settled by a lower court. (Williams, 11/4)
Los Angeles Times:
Oklahoma Supreme Court Puts Abortion Restriction On Hold
The Oklahoma Supreme Court on Tuesday temporarily put on hold a state law restricting abortions while the issue is argued in a lower court. The unanimous action by the high court means that women in Oklahoma can continue to use the prescription drugs mifepristone and misoprostol, which induce abortion in the early weeks of pregnancy. Oklahoma had sought to prohibit such abortions in a law known as House Bill 2684. (Muskal, 11/4)
The Hill:
Court Temporarily Halts Oklahoma Abortion Rules
The top court in Oklahoma is temporarily halting two harsh abortion laws that went into effect this weekend, a decision that has been hailed as “a crucial victory” by abortion rights activists. The state Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that abortions could continue in the state until a bevy of legal challenges against the laws are “fully and finally litigated.” (Ferris, 11/4)
The Houston Chronicle:
Appeals Court To Weigh Texas Abortion Law In January
A federal appeals court has scheduled oral arguments about the constitutionality of Texas’ tough new abortion law for the first week of January, setting up a rapid timeline that may accelerate the case’s expected trip to the U.S. Supreme Court. Solicitor General Jonathan Mitchell and lawyers representing abortion providers are planning to appear in front of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans during the week of Jan. 5, the state disclosed in a legal brief filed Monday. (Rosenthal, 11/4)
