Kansas Court Strikes Down Abortion Laws

The Kansas Supreme Court has reaffirmed that the state constitution protects abortion access, striking down a ban on the common second-trimester dilation and evacuation (D&E) procedure and regulations that imposed stricter standards on abortion providers compared to other healthcare providers. Both laws, initially passed in 2011 and 2015, had been challenged and were never enforced. The court's decisions, made with a 5-1 majority, underscore a broader trend against restrictive abortion laws, citing a 2022 statewide vote that affirmed abortion rights following the U.S. Supreme Court's Dobbs decision. Advocates for reproductive rights, including the Center for Reproductive Rights and Planned Parenthood, have hailed the rulings as significant victories for personal autonomy and healthcare safety. Dissenting voices warn that Kansas is moving towards unrestricted abortion access.