Supreme Court Grants Certiorari On Louisiana Abortion Law Restriction

The U.S. Supreme Court today agreed to hear appeals involving the constitutionality of Louisiana's abortion law.  The Louisiana Unsafe Abortion Protection Act requires any abortion provider to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of the location where abortions are performed. The cases are June Medical Services LLC v. Gee, (Docket No. 18-1323, cert. granted 10/4/2019), and Gee v. June Medical Services, LLC, (Docket No. 18-1460, cert. granted 10/4/2019). (Order list).  In March 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court summarily upheld a preliminary injunction preventing the Act from going into effect. (See prior posting.) In September 2018, the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the statute. (Full text of opinion.) In January 2019, the full 5th Circuit, by a vote of 6-9, denied en banc review. (Full text.) Plaintiff appealed the substantive holding to the Supreme Court. (SCOTUSblog case page). The state cross-appealed the grant of standing to plaintiffs. (SCOTUSblog case page). NPR reports on the grant of certiorari.