High Court Ruling On Texas Abortion Law Could Mean Louisiana Is Next

The Supreme Court struck down a Texas abortion law today, which could mean a similar Louisiana law is coming off the books as well. The law required abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at hospitals, and Louisiana has similar legislation. Loyola law professor Dane Ciolino says the ramifications of this ruling could reach into our state.

“What the court will do is enter what it calls a GVR order, in which it will grant and vacate this circuit’s current ruling, and then remand, send the case back to the Fifth Circuit to consider it in light of today’s opinion,” Ciolino said.

The Louisiana law was blocked by a federal judge, but in February the Fifth Circuit granted a request by Attorney General Jeff Landry to overrule the lower court and allow the law to take effect. Landry issued a statement saying his office will review the implications of today’s Supreme Court’s ruling on Louisiana’s law, but will continue to fight Louisiana’s case to protect women’s health. Ciolino says the justices ruled the law violates the Constitution.

“What it says is that Texas’ restrictions on abortion impose an undue burden on a woman’s right to choose whether to carry her pregnancy to term,” Ciolino said.

Landry’s statement also says “our law is both factually and legally different from the Texas law.” But Ciolino says Louisiana’s law is at least as restrictive as the one in our neighboring state.