Planned Parenthood challenges Wisconsin abortion restrictions in constitutional lawsuit
Caroline MolloyPlanned Parenthood of Wisconsin filed a lawsuit Sept. 10 challenging two state abortion restrictions and arguing that the Wisconsin Constitution protects a right to obtain an abortion.
The case challenges a law that generally makes it a felony for someone other than a physician to perform an abortion and a requirement that a patient wait at least 24 hours after an in-person consultation before obtaining an abortion.
Planned Parenthood argues that the provisions burden what it says are rights protected by the Wisconsin Constitution’s guarantees of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The organization says the challenged laws create barriers to access without improving patient care.
The litigation follows an earlier 2024 effort in which Planned Parenthood asked the Wisconsin Supreme Court to recognize constitutional protection for abortion. That case was dismissed after the court separately ruled on the status of Wisconsin’s 1849 abortion law.
The new lawsuit asks the courts to decide constitutional questions that Planned Parenthood says remain unresolved. State officials and other parties will have an opportunity to present their legal defenses as the case proceeds.
