Federal judge again halts Texas rule requiring burial of fetal remains News
Federal judge again halts Texas rule requiring burial of fetal remains

The US District Court for the Western District of Texas [official website] continued the suspension of a Texas health department regulation [text, PDF] on Friday which would require the burial or cremation of all fetal remains in Texas. The regulation is on hold until further notice and the constitutionality of the regulation will be determined at an upcoming trial. The lawsuit [text] was filed by abortion rights groups who argued that the new regulation “unfairly burdens women seeking pregnancy-related medical care.” The presiding judge had previously suggested that the new regulation had public health benefits, but decided to suspend the regulation on Friday after hearing two days of testimony. Similar regulation has been struck down in federal courts in Louisiana and Indiana in the past.

Abortion restrictions have been a much contested issue in Texas and other states in recent years. Much of the discussion is about when a proposed state law regulating abortion can be considered an undue burden on access to abortion. The US Supreme Court struck down [JURIST report] a Texas law in June 2016, that imposed certain requirements on abortion clinics and doctors. The Texas regulation mandating the burial of fetal remains in Texas was challenged [JURIST report] in court in December by abortion rights groups. The court temporarily suspended [JURIST report] the regulation in December and extended the suspension [JURIST report] in January.

THIS DAY @ LAW

38 Santee Sioux hanged by US for rebellion

On December 26, 1862, 38 Santee Sioux men were hanged in a mass execution for their roles in a rebellion against US authorities in Minnesota which left hundreds dead and made refugees of some 40,000 white settlers. Government annuities promised under a treaty with the Sioux had failed to arrive on schedule and credit for purchases was not advanced in the meantime, threatening the tribe with starvation. The Santee Sioux Tribe's members were deported first to South Dakota and ultimately to Nebraska, where they remain today. Learn more about the 1862 Minnesota Sioux Rebellion.

Louis XVI put on trial during French Revolution

On December 26, 1792, Romain de Sèze, a defense attorney for deposed King Louis XVI, presented a defense of his client. The former King was on trial before a French Revolutionary court on thirty-three charges, including treason and other crimes against the state. He was convicted on January 15, 1793 executed by guillotine on the following January 21.