Judge Blocks Wyoming's Strict Abortion Laws

Wyoming's strict abortion laws, including a near-total ban with exceptions for rape, incest, and serious health risks, as well as a ban on abortion-inducing drugs, were blocked by Teton County District Court Judge Melissa Owens, citing a violation of the state constitution's guarantee that competent adults can make their own health care decisions. The decision follows a lawsuit by Wellspring Health Access and other plaintiffs, arguing the laws infringed on women's rights and harmed their health and livelihoods. Owens' ruling aligns with recent trends across the United States where state-level measures have expanded abortion rights, contrasting with those enforcing stricter bans. The blocked laws included a near-total abortion ban with exceptions only for rape, incest, and serious health risks, as well as a unique prohibition on abortion pills. The ruling is expected to be appealed, reflecting ongoing national legal battles over abortion post the 2022 Supreme Court decision that left abortion regulation to the states.