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Abortion-Rights Supporters File Lawsuit As Ky. Laws Take Effect
By: Associated Press
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) – Abortion-rights supporters have filed a lawsuit aimed at blocking a new Kentucky law that requires women get an ultrasound prior to having an abortion.
The suit signals pro-choice groups’ attempts to fight back against new Republican dominance in the state, where the GOP just claimed control of the state House for the first time in nearly a century and immediately passed laws to restrict access to abortions.
The American Civil Liberties Union said Monday that the law that requires abortion providers show and describe ultrasound images violates privacy and First Amendment rights.
The ultrasound legislation was one of several put on a fast-track last week by the Republican majority in the legislature.
Republican Gov. Matt Bevin, who signed the ultrasound bill, calls it “sound legislation” and predicts it will hold up in court.
Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin says all of the bills approved by the state legislature will be in effect today.
The state legislature passed seven bills during a rare Saturday session. The bills ban mandatory labor union dues, repeal the state’s prevailing wage law, ban union dues from being used for political donations, require ultrasounds before abortions, ban abortions after 20 weeks and replace the board of trustees at the University of Louisville.
Bevin has 10 days to sign the bills. He called them “generationally changing bills,” and pledged to hold ceremonial signing ceremonies in the coming days.