Filed Date: Nov. 12, 2024
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding in progress
This is a case challenging the legality of Kentucky's abortion bans.
On November 12, 2024, a pregnant Kentucky woman – referred to as Mary Poe – filed a lawsuit in Jefferson County Circuit Court, challenging two state abortion bans: a ban on any abortions except in narrow emergency situations (the “Total Ban”) and a law that criminalized providing abortion care after embryonic cardiac activity became detectable, which usually occurs at six weeks of pregnancy (the “Six-Week Ban”). The plaintiff sought to terminate her pregnancy but could not because of the challenged bans. Represented by the ACLU, the ACLU of Kentucky, and private counsel, she sued the Kentucky Attorney General, the Secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Human Services, the Executive Director of the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure, and a judicial circuit attorney. Plaintiff brought the action on behalf of herself and a class of similarly situated people who are currently or will become pregnant and seek an abortion but not be able to obtain one. Plaintiff alleged that the bans violated the Kentucky Constitution’s right to privacy and right to self-determination, and she sought injunctive and declaratory relief.
As of April 25, 2025, the case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Avery Coombe (4/26/2025)
State / Territory: Kentucky
Case Type(s):
Healthcare Access and Reproductive Issues
Key Dates
Filing Date: Nov. 12, 2024
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
A Kentucky woman
Plaintiff Type(s):
Attorney Organizations:
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: Yes
Class Action Sought: Yes
Class Action Outcome: Pending
Defendants
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief: