Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon on Friday certified Wyoming’s abortion ban, one day after the new law was verified by the state’s attorney general.
“I have certified (abortion ban) House Bill 92 following the Attorney General’s analysis,” Gordon said. “I believe that the decision to regulate abortion is properly left to the states.”
The U.S. Supreme Court on June 24 overturned Roe vs. Wade, a U.S. Supreme Court case that had treated abortion access as a constitutional right since 1973.
The move relegated abortion policy decisions back to the states for the first time in nearly 50 years.
Wyoming was one of 13 states with a trigger ban, or bill outlawing abortion after a high court overturn, in place at the time.
But Wyoming’s trigger ban required a review by the attorney general of no more than 30 days, then a review of up to five days by the governor prior to his certification, then a five-day processing period by the secretary of state, to codify the law.
Hill completed her legal review in 27 days.
Gordon certified the law in about one day and sent his decision to Secretary of State Ed Buchanan.
“As a pro-life Governor, my focus will continue to be on ensuring we are doing all we can to support Wyoming mothers, children and families,” said Gordon.
In five days or less, performing an abortion in Wyoming will be a felony punishable by up to 14 years in prison, except in cases of rape, incest, or severe health or death risks.
When Hill’s office verified the law change Thursday, Gordon indicated that it wouldn’t take him long to certify it, saying he’d review it “overnight.”
The Secretary of State had five days from Governor’s certification to codify the law.
