Page 2 - Rape Exception News Today

Oral arguments were heard at the Indiana Supreme Court Wednesday with nothing less than the bodily autonomy of 6.8 million Hoosiers — especially women and girls — on the line.

The 60-minute hearing before the five Republican-appointed Indiana Supreme Court justices is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Region time.

Attorney General Todd Rokita is appealing a judges ruling that Indianas near-total abortion ban runs afoul of the states Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA).

The near-total abortion ban likely will remain unenforceable for the near future after a judge found the statute runs afoul of Indianas Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

"The state has a valid and compelling interest in protecting unborn children who are, at the very least, from the moment of conception a living being and potential human life,"

Abortion will remain available in Indiana as if the near-total abortion ban was not enacted at least until the Supreme Court issues its final decision sometime in 2023.

State data show 92 pregnant and postpartum women died in Indiana during 2020, a 46% increase from the states 63 maternal deaths in 2019, and the 60 deaths tallied for

Seventeen years ago the Indiana Supreme Court dodged the question of whether the Indiana Constitution contains a right to privacy, and correspondingly, a right to abortion.

The lawsuit claims Indianas new abortion restrictions unlawfully deny temple members access to abortion and the Satanic Abortion Ritual by criminalizing the procedure.

A Republican Owen County judge ruled Thursday the states near-total abortion ban, which took effect last Thursday, likely violates liberties protected by the Indiana Constitution.