Wyoming Abortion Trigger Law Takes Effect this Week

The Wyoming legislature passed a near-total ban on abortions last March based on the hope that the U.S. Supreme Court would overturn Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey in the Dobbs case, which it did. The bill, known as a “trigger” law because its official status would be triggered by the demise of Roe and Casey, has been certified by Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon and goes into effect on July 26.
The law, also known as H.B. 92, prohibits abortion except in the case of rape, incest, or “when necessary to preserve the woman from a serious risk of death or of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function, not including any psychological or emotional conditions.” It also prohibits any taxpayer funds from being used to pay for abortion except in the latter instance of risk of death or impairment of a major bodily function.
H.B. 92 replaces the previous law that banned abortions after viability, with exceptions for the life and health of the mother.
Gov. Gordon tweeted: “I have certified HB 92 following the Attorney General’s analysis. I believe that the decision to regulate abortion is properly left to the states. As a pro-life Governor, my focus will continue to be on ensuring we are doing all we can to support mothers, children and families.”
Predictably, pro-abortion groups expressed strong sentiment against the new law.
“Thanks to Wyoming’s trigger law, Wyomingites will have fewer rights than people in other states. A person’s health, not politics, should guide important health care decisions, including the decision to have an abortion,” said Libby Skarin, ACLU of Wyoming campaigns director, as reported by The Associated Press.
Preborn Wyomingites, however, will be delighted in their new-found right to life.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bruce Hausknecht, J.D., is an attorney who serves as Focus on the Family’s judicial analyst. He is responsible for research and analysis of legal and judicial issues related to Christians and the institution of the family, including First Amendment freedom of religion and free speech issues, judicial activism, marriage, homosexuality and pro-life matters. He also tracks legislation and laws affecting these issues. Prior to joining Focus in 2004, Hausknecht practiced law for 17 years in construction litigation and as an associate general counsel for a large ministry in Virginia. He was also an associate pastor at a church in Colorado Springs for seven years, primarily in worship music ministry. Hausknecht has provided legal analysis and commentary for top media outlets including CNN, ABC News, NBC News, CBS Radio, The New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, The Washington Post, The Washington Times, the Associated Press, the Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, the Boston Globe and BBC radio. He’s also a regular contributor to The Daily Citizen. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Illinois and his J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law. Hausknecht has been married since 1981 and has three adult children, as well as three adorable grandkids. In his free time, Hausknecht loves getting creative with his camera and capturing stunning photographs of his adopted state of Colorado.
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