Case: Johnson v. State of Wyoming III

2025-CV-0114940 | Wyoming state trial court

Filed Date: Feb. 28, 2025

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

This case is a challenge to series of Wyoming state laws regulating pregnant people and abortion providers in Wyoming. Procedural Background Plaintiffs originally filed suit in Natrona County District Court on February 28. On March 11, having not been granted a TRO hearing, plaintiffs dismissed that case and refiled in Teton County District Court. Ten days later, the court dismissed the second lawsuit, since patients had been denied care at a clinic in Natrona County. The case was refiled in N…

This case is a challenge to series of Wyoming state laws regulating pregnant people and abortion providers in Wyoming.

Procedural Background

Plaintiffs originally filed suit in Natrona County District Court on February 28. On March 11, having not been granted a TRO hearing, plaintiffs dismissed that case and refiled in Teton County District Court. Ten days later, the court dismissed the second lawsuit, since patients had been denied care at a clinic in Natrona County. The case was refiled in Natrona County District Court; this summary concerns this third lawsuit.

The Lawsuit

On March 24, 2025, Chelsea's Fund, JTP Professional Service Corporation (“Just The Pill”), and Circle of Hope Health Care Services, Inc., (“Wellspring”), a registered nurse, and two OB-GYNs (collectively, the "abortion defenders") filed a lawsuit challenging a series of targeted restrictions of abortion providers with criminal consequences (the "Criminal TRAP Laws"). Chelsea's Fund and Just the Pill are nonprofits that help people access abortion care, and Wellspring is an abortion clinic. Represented by private counsel, the abortion defenders filed suit in the Teton County District Court against Wyoming, the Governor, the Attorney General, the Teton County Sheriff, and the Jackson Chief of Police.

Specifically, the abortion defenders challenged House Bill 42 and 64 (collectively, the "Criminal TRAP Laws"). HB 64 mandated that a person must undergo an ultrasound at least 48 hours before a medication abortion, and that a violation would constitute a misdemeanor. HB 42 mandated:

Facilities providing procedural abortion be licensed as Ambulatory Surgical Centers ("ASC");
Physicians performing procedural abortions have admitting privileges at a hospital within 10 miles;
Physicians report each procedural abortion performed to the Department of Health;
Procedural abortions may only be performed by physicians licensed in Wyoming; and
Abortion is not recognized as "health care" under Article 1, section 30 of the Wyoming Constitution.

Plaintiffs alleged that the laws violated the state and federal equal protection clauses; violated the state constitution's prohibition against the establishment of religion by imposing a sectarian religious viewpoint on all Wyoming citizens; and were unconstitutionally vague. They requested injunctive and declaratory relief, as well as costs and fees.

On April 21, 2025, the district court enjoined HB 42 and HB 64. The Clearinghouse does not have access to the court order at this time.

As of April 24, 2025, the case is ongoing.

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Summary Authors

Avery Coombe (4/24/2025)