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Wednesday, 08 September 2021 15:49

New Texas Abortion Law: Could It Happen Here? Featured

Written by
Dean Carro Dean Carro uakron.edu

Texas just passed the nation's most restrictive abortion law, which outlaws the procedure even in cases of rape and incest, unless it takes place within the first six weeks.

What is more stunning though, is that the US Supreme Court let it go into effect, despite Constitutional protection provided through the much disputed, but still in force, Roe v. Wade decision which affirms a woman's right to choose. In addition, the new Texas "Heartbeat Bill" it takes enforcement of the statute out of the hands of the state, and allows private citizens to seeek monetary damages from abortion providers, and anyone who helps a woman get an abortion. 

Since Ohio's majority Republican legislature has tried a number of times to restrict abortion access, failing either at the Governor's office, or in the courts; this is a legal tactic sure to garner some interest in the Ohio Statehouse.

But, though Texas' action is unusual, and could portend some great changes on the national level; it has not yet actually been argued in the US Supreme Court. Instead, the high court allowed it to go into effect without objection, through what's known as the "Shadow Docket".

So, what does that mean?

Listen now, as Jeanne Destro tries to untangle all the complicated legal issues with local attorney, and former University of Akron Law Professor, J. Dean Carro.


Read 1536 times Last modified on Wednesday, 08 September 2021 17:34