Recent Legislative & Litigation Trends in Women's Health & Reproductive Rights

2016 is a banner year for reproductive health and rights, with the U.S. Supreme Court reviewing a 2013 Texas law that could close all but 9 or 10 abortion clinics in the state. In addition, state legislatures are scheduled to consider, as they do every year, hundreds of pieces of legislation that will affect access to reproductive health services across the country. Laws restricting access to reproductive health services are often challenged in state and federal courts using a variety of legal claims, and in 2016 litigation developments on a variety of issues related to reproductive health in a number of forums. 

This course, presented by Amanda Allen of the Center for Reproductive Rights, reviews the legislative activity from the year, as well as major litigation developments regarding access to reproductive health services. 

Learning Objectives:

I.     Identify major trends and themes in legislation affecting reproductive health and rights

II.    Explore common legal claims made in challenging abortion restrictions

III.   Comprehend next steps for major court cases and looking ahead to 2017