Politics & Government

Appeals judge denies request by Ky. AG Daniel Cameron that would have again halted abortions

Gavel and stethoscope on Abortion law handbook.
Gavel and stethoscope on Abortion law handbook. Getty Images

A Kentucky Court of Appeals judge has denied a motion by Attorney General Daniel Cameron in a lawsuit over the state’s abortion laws, a move that will allow abortions to continue for now.

On Thursday, a Jefferson County Circuit Court judge issued a restraining order that temporarily blocks the state’s “trigger law” banning abortion from taking effect. That allowed abortions to resume while the case moves through the court system.

In response, Cameron went to the appeals court, seeking to block the restraining order. In a ruling Saturday, appeals court Judge Glenn Acree denied his request.

After the U.S. Supreme Court reversed the Roe v. Wade decision, EMW Women’s Surgical Center and Planned Parenthood, which provide abortions in Louisville, filed a lawsuit to try to stop Kentucky’s trigger law — also called the Human Life Protection Act — and the so-called Heartbeat Law — which effectively bans abortion after about six weeks into a pregnancy — from taking effect.

EMW resumed operations Friday, according to a spokesman for the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky.

The two providers are scheduled to appear before Jefferson Circuit Judge Mitch Perry Wednesday to argue why the law should be more permanently stopped.

This story was originally published July 2, 2022 at 6:07 PM.

Karla Ward
Lexington Herald-Leader
Karla Ward is a native of Logan County who has worked as a reporter at the Herald-Leader since 2000. She covers breaking news. Support my work with a digital subscription
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