
This week, a federal judge struck down a North Carolina law banning abortion after 20 weeks gestation. The law had been in effect since 1973 but was amended in 2015 to tighten the exemptions to the 20-week ban. U.S. District Judge William Osteen ruled that the law, even if not enforced, had a "chilling effect" on individuals' constitutional rights. Judge Osteen stated that under current Supreme Court decisions, a state is never allowed to prohibit pre-viability abortions. The ruling will go into effect in 60 days, to allow time for the North Carolina legislature to either pass further legislation or challenge the decision on appeal.
March 29, 2019 - 2:04pm
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