A Texas law placing restrictive conditions on clinics performing abortions has been temporarily stayed by the U. S. Supreme Court according to news reports. If allowed to be implemented, it is believed that the restrictions would have closed more than half of Texas’s abortion providers by requiring strict hospital standards for clinics and requiring admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of the clinic.
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals had allowed the restrictive Texas statute to stand in an earlier decision. The Supreme Court granted the stay to allow pro-choice advocates to file a request for hearing before the high court. Because the Court is now in recess until this fall, the clinics will likely get a reprieve of at least several months before the Court decides whether to take the case. It is being reported that Justice Anthony Kennedy joined the Court’s liberals to provide the 5-4 vote for the stay.
Contributor, aka tidbits. Retired attorney in complex litigation, death penalty defense and constitutional law. Former Nat’l Board Chair: Alzheimer’s Association. Served on multiple political campaigns, including two for U.S. Senator Mark O. Hatfield (R-OR). Contributing author to three legal books and multiple legal publications.