Lawsuit Filed – Senate Bill 20

On June 16th, 2023, abortionist, Dr. Beverly Gray from Durham, along with Planned Parenthood South Atlantic filed a lawsuit against North Carolina Senate Bill 20 which goes into effect in two weeks. This was not surprising. NC saw the one of the largest increases in abortion in the country after Roe v. Wade was repealed. Senate Bill 20 will affect the revenue stream in the abortion industry. The goal of the lawsuit is to declare the new law “unconstitutional, unenforceable, and permanently enjoined”. This is in spite of the fact that elections and polls have shown that the people of NC do not want unrestricted abortion on demand up to birth which is exactly what this lawsuit is ultimately seeking.

Senate Bill 20, called the “Care for Women Children and Families Act” was passed over the veto of Governor Roy Cooper. It shortens the window for an elective abortion to 12 weeks from 20 weeks but also allows for longer periods of access based on exceptions for “rape, incest, the health of the mother and fetal abnormalities”. It also provides for additional funding for a variety of related initiatives. The lawsuit seeks to shut down what Republicans claim is informed consent, science-based safety regulations on chemical abortion pills, health and safety regulations, and other reporting requirements. These are all provisions which arguably help to assure that abortion is regulated, and women’s lives are protected.

Other lawsuit objections also include:

• A requirement that all abortions occurring after 12 weeks (this only involves abortions for life limiting fetal anomalies, rape, incest, and medical dangers) be performed only in a hospital.
• A requirement that women seeking surgical and chemical abortions be informed about all potential complications and risks. This information to be provided by the doctor in person, so the woman can ask questions and interact with her physician.
• They object to being required to follow the FDA protocol on abortion pills. Specially that they are only indicated to 10 weeks of pregnancy.

Planned Parenthood states that it filed the suit on behalf of the women that they serve. It’s difficult to imagine that women who seek an abortion would want all of these “safety-net” provisions struck down.

To keep up on details on Senate bill 20 go HERE.