Ulster County Clerk Rejects Texas Abortion Judgment Against Doctor

Ulster County, New York, has twice refused to file a civil judgment from Texas against Dr. Margaret Carpenter, who is accused of prescribing abortion pills to a Texas resident via telemedicine, citing New York's Shield Law that protects abortion providers from out-of-state prosecution. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sought enforcement of the Texas ruling, including a $100,000 civil penalty, but New York officials, including Acting Ulster County Clerk Taylor Bruck, have rejected these attempts, emphasizing that under New York law, such rejections are final. The case highlights ongoing tensions between states with abortion restrictions and those with shield laws, with New York Governor Kathy Hochul strongly opposing Texas's efforts, framing them as an attempt to control women's reproductive rights nationwide. New York's telehealth abortion shield law, enacted in 2023, explicitly prohibits government agencies from cooperating with out-of-state abortion-related proceedings, complicating cross-state legal enforcement. This dispute is part of a broader legal and political battle over abortion access and interstate legal conflicts following the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision. The case is also significant as it could further test the limits and constitutionality of shield laws designed to protect abortion providers against out-of-state legal actions.