Summary
The state of Montana has long maintained health-and-safety regulations to help protect women and their unborn children. In 2021, the legislature adjusted these protections to guarantee that women are not prescribed dangerous chemical abortion drugs without first being physically examined by a physician, do not undergo risky late-term abortions in the sixth month of pregnancy or beyond, and are offered an opportunity to see and hear an ultrasound of their child in their own womb. Montana’s law also prevents its citizens from being forced to pay for elective abortions. Planned Parenthood is seeking to halt enforcement of the laws even though the laws are presumed constitutional. Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys are representing the state of Montana as co-counsel alongside the Montana Attorney General.
On October 7, 2021, the trial court issued a preliminary injunction in favor of Planned Parenthood. ADF and the Montana Attorney General have appealed to the Montana Supreme Court in order to uphold these commonsense laws that protect women and their unborn babies.
