The Supreme Court blocked enforcement of a Louisiana law that would require state abortion clinics to maintain safety standards that would match the regulations of surgical clinics.
The decision comes days after the high court heard arguments in a major Texas case and hours after they voted in a private meeting on the outcome of that case.
The law would require doctors who provide abortions to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals.
Only Justice Clarence Thomas noted a dissent in the Louisiana case, which could indicate that the court may not rule in favor of maintaining the regulations in Texas.
Justice Anthony Kennedy, whose vote was crucial in the Louisiana ruling, will be a decisive fifth vote in favor of abortion clinics in Texas.
Opponents of the laws said half the 40 clinics that were open in Texas before the 2013 law closed as a result. There would be only 10 clinics left in the state if the Texas law were to be fully enforced.
The Louisiana law would remain blocked until the court renders its decision in the Texas case, Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt, The New York Times reported.
Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry said the state would continue defending the law.
"We remain confident that we will prevail on the merits," Landry said.
Did you know?
God is everywhere—even in the news. That’s why we view every news story through the lens of faith. We are committed to delivering quality independent Christian journalism you can trust. But it takes a lot of hard work, time, and money to do what we do. Help us continue to be a voice for truth in the media by supporting CBN News for as little as $1.
Support CBN News
