Richmond, Va., Oct 1, 2019 / 15:13 pm
A federal judge on Monday overturned two Virginia restrictions on abortion, while upholding several others, saying, "the right to choose to have an abortion is not unfettered."
"In addition to a woman's personal liberty interest, the state has profound interests in protecting potential life and protecting the health and safety of women," wrote U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson, citing Supreme Court precedent.
"The state, therefore, may take measures to further these interests so long as it does not create a substantial obstacle that unduly burdens a woman's right to choose."
Hudson ruled Sept. 30 in a case filed last year by abortion advocacy groups including the Center for Reproductive Rights, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and the Falls Church Healthcare Center. The suit challenged a series of abortion regulations enacted in Virginia.