Kansas Supreme Court Rules Right to Abortion Protected by the State's Constitution

Today, the Kansas Supreme Court ruled that women in the state have a right to abortion under that state's constitution. The majority opinion stated that the "Kansas Constitution's drafters' and ratifiers' proclamation of natural rights applies to pregnant women. This proclamation protects the right to decide whether to continue a pregnancy."
 
The decision resulted from a lawsuit over a 2015 Kansas law banning dismemberment abortions. A lower court judge initially ruled the state constitution protects the right to an abortion and the Kansas Court of Appeals upheld the ruling. The Supreme Court justices took over two years to issue their opinion.
 
Kansas pro-life lawmakers are expected to respond with a push for an amendment to the state constitution. Such amendment would state that the Kansas Constitution does not include a right to abortion. If the amendment passes, it would then go to a statewide vote.