Abortion Remains Banned in Kentucky

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Today, the Kentucky Supreme Court denied a request from the ACLU, the ACLU of Kentucky, and Planned Parenthood Federation of America for emergency relief after a state appeals court allowed two abortion bans to go into effect on August 2. As a result, abortion remains banned in the state. The appeals court’s August 1 decision, at the request of Attorney General Daniel Cameron, lifted a temporary injunction against two 2019 bans, a complete abortion ban and a six-week ban, immediately halting abortion care in the state. Today, the Supreme Court refused to overturn that decision. These recent orders are only emergency motions. The courts have yet to rule on the merits of the challenge to the abortion bans, which the plaintiffs have argued violates the rights to privacy, bodily autonomy, and self-determination guaranteed by the Kentucky Constitution. Oral arguments are scheduled in the Kentucky Supreme Court on the appeal of the temporary injunction for November 15, 2022.

Planned Parenthood and the ACLU are committed to helping Kentuckians get the care they need, including helping patients find care out of state. Anyone who needs an abortion should visit abortionfinder.org and abortionfunds.org, or call 1-800-230-7526. Patient navigators are ready to help.

Statement from leaders from Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the ACLU of Kentucky on behalf of EMW Women’s Surgical Center and Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawai‘i, Alaska, Indiana, Kentucky:

“The Supreme Court’s decision to allow Kentucky’s abortion bans to remain in effect puts nearly a million people’s health care in jeopardy. Abortion is not only health care but also a critical individual freedom. Make no mistake: abortion bans result in tragic health outcomes and are a form of control over our bodies. Despite this setback, the fight continues. We will proceed with our case to restore and protect reproductive freedom in Kentucky. Politicians and the government should never have the authority to force a person to remain pregnant against their will.”