DETROIT, Sept. 29, 2022 — With the reversal of Roe v. Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court in June, Michigan’s archaic 1931 abortion ban came into place once again here in Michigan. Earlier this month, a Michigan Court of Claims judge declared the law was unconstitutional and blocked it from further enforcement. This decision allowed abortion to remain legal in the state for the time being. While the Court of Claims has blocked this law for now, members of the GOP majority in the state House and Senate can still appeal this decision in the Michigan Supreme Court. House Democrats introduced House Bill 5289 in September 2021 to repeal this law.
“We need to stand up for our reproductive health and rights,” said state Rep. Cynthia A. Johnson (D-Detroit). “The truth of the matter is, the 1931 abortion law wouldn’t end abortions — It would only end safe abortion. This law is detrimental to the health of women, especially Black and brown women who are already disproportionately affected by sexual and reproductive health challenges. I will continue to speak out against extreme measures that affect the reproductive health of women and work endlessly to put an end to attacks on our constitutional rights.”