Wyoming Judge Overturns State's Abortion and Medication Bans

Judge Melissa Owens rules that Wyoming's abortion laws violate constitutional rights, keeping abortion legal for now.

Teton County District Judge Melissa Owens struck down Wyoming's total abortion ban and its unique prohibition on abortion pills, citing constitutional violations.
The ruling aligns with a 2012 state amendment ensuring residents' rights to make their own healthcare decisions, which Owens found the abortion laws violated.
The laws were challenged by four women, including two obstetricians, and two nonprofit organizations, asserting harm to health and livelihoods.
Governor Mark Gordon's administration, which passed the laws, is expected to appeal the decision to the Wyoming Supreme Court.
This decision follows a trend of states enacting or upholding abortion rights, with recent voter support for similar measures in seven states.