Overview
- Attorney General Letitia James notified an Ulster County judge that she is joining the case and will file written arguments by September 19 defending New York’s shield statute.
- Texas AG Ken Paxton seeks to compel Ulster County to enter a Collin County, Texas judgment of more than $113,000 against Dr. Margaret Carpenter and to honor an injunction restricting her from sending abortion pills to Texans.
- Acting Ulster County Clerk Taylor Bruck twice refused to enforce the Texas order in March and July, citing New York’s 2023 law that blocks cooperation with out-of-state abortion enforcement.
- Paxton argues the shield law violates the Constitution’s Full Faith and Credit Clause, while James contends Texas cannot commandeer New York courts or impose its abortion ban there.
- Related developments include a Louisiana indictment of Carpenter and an extradition request denied by Gov. Kathy Hochul, as well as a Texas bill advancing to let private residents sue out-of-state pill providers that awaits action by Gov. Greg Abbott.