Sept 12 (Askume) – A North Dakota court judge overturned most of the state’s abortion restrictions on Thursday, clearing the way for abortion to be legalized in the Midwestern state for the first time in more than a year.
Judge Bruce Romanek held that the state constitution protects a woman’s right to have an abortion before the fetus is viable and sided with abortion providers challenging the ban. The order will take effect within 14 days.
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, a Republican, signed the bill into law in April 2023. It makes it a felony offense for a doctor to perform an abortion, including to save the mother’s life or when her health is seriously endangered.
It also makes exceptions for victims of rape and incest, but only during the first six weeks of pregnancy.
