Ninth Circuit strikes down Arizona 20-week abortion ban
May 22, 2013
The Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled Tuesday that the Arizona law banning abortions at 20 weeks violates women's rights, making it "per se unconstitutional." The opinion, authored by Judge Marsha Berzon, focused on balancing fetal viability and a woman's right to medical autonomy. The s....... [more] 
Vermont governor signs physician-assisted suicide bill
May 21, 2013
Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin signed legislation Monday that legalizes physician-assisted suicide in the state. This bill makes Vermont the fourth state in the US to approve the practice. The Patient Choice and Control at End of Life Act (aka "Death with Dignity" bill), was passed by the legislatur....... [more]
Illinois Senate approves medical marijuana bill
May 18, 2013
The Illinois Senate passed a bill on Friday that would allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes in the state, subject to strict regulations. The bill indicates that marijuana may only be used for specified medical conditions, and is intended to be regulated through dosage limits and backgroun....... [more]
Federal judge blocks Arkansas 12-week abortion ban
May 17, 2013
A judge for the US District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas on Friday temporarily blocked enforcement of a law law banning abortions 12 weeks into a pregnancy. US District Judge Susan Webber Wright granted a motion for preliminary injunction against the Arkansas Human Heartbeat Protection....... [more]
Federal judge allows challenge to Arkansas abortion law to proceed
May 17, 2013
A judge for the US District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas on Wednesday rejected Arkansas' attempt to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the state's law banning abortions 12 weeks into a pregnancy. US District Judge Susan Webber Wright denied the motion to dismiss, ruling that the lawsuit mad....... [more]
North Dakota abortion law challenged
May 16, 2013
The Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR) on Wednesday challenged a North Dakota law that places additional requirements on abortion clinics. SB 2305, passed in March, restricts abortion providers to those doctors recognized by a hospital within 30 miles of the clinic. Although the providers at Red....... [more]
In Alabama, "Back Door" Restrictions on Abortion and Roe
May 15, 2013
JURIST Guest Columnist LaJuana Davis of the Cumberland School of Law evaluates the implications of legislative efforts in Alabama and other states to restrict access to abortions...Alabama's recent passage of the Women's Health and Safety Act joins a wave of state abortion reform laws requiring abor....... [more]
Vermont House approves physician-assisted suicide for terminally ill
May 15, 2013
The Vermont House of Representatives on Monday approved a bill that would allow a consulting physician to prescribe a lethal dose of medication to a terminally ill individual who meets certain criteria. For the first three years after its passage, the legislation will model Oregon's Death with Digni....... [more]
Europe rights court rules Switzerland laws on assisted suicide too vague
May 14, 2013
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled Tuesday that Swiss law does not provide sufficient guidelines on the extent of the right to die, in violation of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Article 8 protects an individual's right to respect for private life, which was inte....... [more]
Oklahoma Senate approved bill requring pre-abortion questionnaire
May 11, 2013
On May 11, 2010, the Oklahoma Senate voted by a 32-11 margin to approve a bill (HB 3284) requiring women seeking an abortion to complete a questionnaire before the procedure. The Statistical Abortion Bill Act probes into such areas as marital status, reasons for seeking an abortion and whether the w....... [more]
Illinois court invalidated tobacco judgment
May 5, 2013
On May 5, 2006, the Illinois Supreme Court declined to reconsider its decision to vacate a $10.1 billion judgment against Phillip Morris USA. The judgment resulted from a case where the tobacco company was found liable of falsely claiming that light cigarettes were safer than regular ones. Expla....... [more]
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