Judge Upholds North Carolina Law Requiring Hospitals Handle Abortions After 12 Weeks

A U.S. judge has found that part of a new North Carolina law requiring abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy be performed in hospitals is constitutional, ruling against Planned Parenthood. The judge also struck down another provision in the law, which mandates that medical providers document the existence of a pregnancy before an abortion. The North Carolina law in question, 2023-14, bans abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy except in cases of medical emergency, rape, incest, or “life-limiting disorder” in an unborn child. Doctors violating the law could be prosecuted with a felony and face a fine of up to $250,000. The law also contains other provisions, including requiring abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy be performed in hospitals while abortions before 12 weeks could be performed in surgical facilities or abortion clinics in addition to hospitals....