Reproductive

Michigan House of Representatives Passes Legislation to Repeal Surrogacy Act, Paving the Way for Reproductive Freedom

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LANSING, Mich. — The state of Michigan may soon see changes to its surrogacy laws as lawmakers in the House of Representatives pass a package of legislation aimed at updating the existing Surrogate Parenting Act. The Act, which was enacted on September 1, 1988, prohibits compensated surrogacy parenting in the state. However, after 36 years, lawmakers are now looking to repeal and replace this law with the Assisted Reproduction and Surrogacy Parentage Act. If signed into law, House Bill 5207, which is the primary legislation in the package, would establish the new Act and repeal … Read more

Montana Court Strikes Down Unconstitutional Abortion Laws, Ensuring Access to Reproductive Rights

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HELENA, Montana – Three Montana laws that imposed restrictions on abortion rights have been ruled unconstitutional by District Court Judge Kurt Krueger. The laws, passed in 2021, included a ban on abortions after 20 weeks, a prohibition on doctors prescribing medication abortions through telehealth services, a 24-hour waiting period for medication abortions, and a requirement for doctors to offer an ultrasound before an abortion. In his ruling, Judge Krueger stated that these regulations imposed significant burdens on abortion access without sufficient rationale or credible evidence. The laws had already been blocked by a preliminary injunction … Read more

Iowa Supreme Court Set to Revisit Abortion Rights: A Key Battle for Reproductive Freedom in the State

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Des Moines, Iowa – The Iowa Supreme Court is once again facing the task of determining the extent of abortion rights protected by the state’s constitution. This marks the third time in as many years that the court has grappled with this issue. In 2022, the court ruled that there is no “fundamental right” to abortion, overturning its previous 2018 precedent. However, the following year, the court was deadlocked in a 3-3 vote on whether to revive the state’s six-week “fetal heartbeat” abortion ban. The ban had been passed by the Legislature in 2018 but … Read more

Woman Cleared of Criminal Charges After Miscarriage, Advocates Celebrate Victory for Reproductive Rights

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Warren, Ohio – An Ohio woman who faced a criminal charge after suffering a miscarriage at home will not be indicted, according to the decision made by a Trumbull County grand jury on Thursday. The case, which drew criticism from reproductive rights advocates, was dismissed by the grand jury. Brittany Watts, 34, of Warren, Ohio, had been charged with felony abuse of a corpse after she miscarried last September and passed her nonviable fetus in her bathroom. Watts was initially facing a $2,500 fine and up to a year in prison. However, with the grand … Read more