Would most people ever imagine that simply informing a woman how far along she is in her pregnancy, offering her the chance to view an ultrasound, or providing information about the risks of a procedure could be considered an infringement on a right? 

According to a court in Kansas, this very well may be true. 

A pivotal legal battle is unfolding in a Johnson County courtroom that strikes at the heart of informed consent, medical transparency and the dignity of both mother and child. 

The Women’s Right to Know Act was the first pro-life law passed in the state and has been the cornerstone of Kansas’ pro-life protections since 1997.  

Almost 30 years after these protections were put in place, abortion providers led by Planned Parenthood are challenging the law’s commonsense provisions, seeking to strip away vital information from women at their most vulnerable moment.

The trial began with three days of testimony last week and recessed until Oct. 14.

They are bringing this lawsuit now because a 2019 Kansas Supreme Court ruling created a fundamental right to abortion in the Kansas Constitution, putting all our life-affirming laws at risk. 

Brittany Jones, president of Kansas Family Voice

The Women’s Right to Know law ensures that women considering abortion receive medically relevant, life-affirming information. It includes: 

• a 24-hour waiting period to reflect and consider alternatives; 
• access to view an ultrasound and hear the baby’s heartbeat at no cost; 
• disclosure of the gestational age of the unborn child; 
• information about abortion risks and alternatives;  
• notification if the abortion provider has faced disciplinary action; 
• and a recent addition: details about the possibility of the Abortion Pill Reversal process. 
• However, these provisions are currently unenforceable in Kansas. 

Each one was intended to provide women with relevant information. They reflect the belief that every woman deserves to know the truth before making a life-altering decision. 

When the judge blocked these key provisions, he cited concerns over free speech and how information might get in the way of a woman choosing abortion. He even allowed an unrelated law to be added to this lawsuit by adding our abortion reporting law to the suit.

The abortion reporting law merely requires that abortionists report the number of abortions; what kind of procedure was used; and why women are seeking an abortion. It also made the report biannual rather than annual.

Many of the state’s expert witnesses have been excluded from testifying, while the abortion industry has been allowed to bring in clearly biased experts.  

In the trial, Planned Parenthood’s medical director stated she will not use the word “father because it is just a social construct.” She refused to recognize that Kansas law provides any requirements for fathers to help care for their child. 

Most shockingly, when asked whether sex selection was a valid reason for abortion, she responded that “all reasons for abortion are valid.” 

Attorneys for the state followed up, asking about whether abortions solely because of the baby’s race were valid. She responded, “all reasons are valid.” 

When abortion providers fight to keep women in the dark, they reveal their true priorities: to profit off women and push their own agenda. They are not treating her, and the baby inside her, with the dignity that an image-bearer of God deserves.  

Kansas has long been a leader in defending life. The Women’s Right to Know Act reflects our commitment to compassion, truth and the belief that every woman deserves to be fully informed. 

As this case moves through the courts, pro-life Kansans must remain vigilant. We must pray, advocate and educate. We must remind our neighbors that empowering women means equipping them with truth – not shielding them from it. 

This is our moment to reaffirm that in Kansas, life is cherished, women are respected and truth is never optional.