Summary
An abortionist in North Carolina is challenging multiple laws aimed at promoting maternal health and safety. The laws include requirements that abortions be performed in person by a qualified physician in a certified hospital or clinic, after a woman has provided voluntary and informed consent following a period of reflection.
Case timeline
- January 2023: An abortion provider filed a lawsuit claiming that the FDA’s approval of abortion drugs and destruction of safeguards supersedes North Carolina’s right to pass laws protecting women.
- February 2023: ADF attorneys filed a motion to intervene in the case on behalf of North Carolina Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger and former House Speaker Timothy Moore.
- March 2023: A federal district court granted the motion to intervene, and ADF attorneys filed another motion on behalf of the two legislators asking the court to dismiss the abortion provider’s baseless lawsuit.
- April 2024: The federal district court allowed portions of North Carolina’s laws to go into effect. However, it blocked the other portions of the laws.
- June 2024: ADF attorneys appealed the portion of the district court’s decision that blocked North Carolina’s laws to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit.
- December 2024: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit put Bryant v. Stein on hold pending a decision in another 4th Circuit case, GenBioPro v. Raynes.
- July 2025: The 4th Circuit ruled in favor of West Virginia in GenBioPro v. Raynes, creating a favorable precedent for Bryant v. Stein.
