INDIANAPOLIS — A federal appeals court has reversed a preliminary injunction barring enforcement of provisions in an Indiana law that requires abortion clinics to either bury or cremate fetal remains.
It comes after a federal judge found that the requirements infringe on the religious and free speech rights of people who don't believe aborted fetuses deserve the same treatment as deceased people.
A legal challenge to the law was brought on in part by two women who had abortions and objected to the provisions requiring burial or cremation, arguing that implies the personhood of a fetus. Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is a defendant in the suit.
PREVIOUS | Judge: Indiana can't enforce abortion burial, cremation law
"... Neither of the two plaintiffs who has had an abortion contends that a third party’s cremation or burial of fetal remains would cause her to violate any religious principle indirectly. What these two plaintiffs contend is that cremation or burial implies a view — the personhood of an unborn fetus — that they do not hold," the opinion by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit reads in part.
"... A moral objection to one potential implication of the way medical providers handle fetal remains is some distance from a contention that the state compels any woman to violate her own religious tenets," it states.
The full opinion can be viewed here.
PREVIOUS | Federal judge rules portions of Indiana abortion law unconstitutional
House Enrolled Act 1337 was signed into law in 2016 by then-Gov. Mike Pence. Shortly afterward, Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky filed suit, claiming the law violated the Equal Protection clause of the 14th amendment.
The U.S. Supreme Court later upheld the law.
-
University of Indianapolis launches new Behavioral Health Trauma certificate
The certificate specifically focuses on mental health professionals who plan to provide trauma counseling. It is obtained after three courses and nine total credit hours.
Josh Downs, Anthony Richardson team up to give Colts offense a jolt of energy
Indianapolis Colts receiver Josh Downs welcomed last week's announcement that Anthony Richardson would return as Indy's starting quarterback.
Barrett scores season-high 39 as Raptors snap losing streak, beat Pacers 130-119
Benedict Mathurin scored 17 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter and Pascal Siakam had 25 points and 10 rebounds against his former team as the Pacers lost for the third time in four games.
New era of college football could help other teams replicate Indiana's rise
Indiana has made the type of turnaround that had only happened once before at the power-conference level over the last decade.
