Judge Bryan Gantt orders doctor to stop prescribing and sending pills to state, setting up challenge to ‘shield laws’

Summary

A Texas judge fined Dr. Margaret Daley Carpenter, a New York physician, over $100,000 and ordered her to stop prescribing abortion pills to Texas patients, challenging state “shield laws” protecting abortion providers.

The lawsuit, filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, follows complaints from an anti-abortion group.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul refused Louisiana’s request to extradite Carpenter in a related case.

With Texas challenging shield laws and Louisiana pursuing criminal charges, experts believe the legal battle could reach the U.S. Supreme Court.