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NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Latest on likely effects of the Supreme Court's latest abortion ruling in Louisiana and Mississippi (all times local):
2:45 p.m.
The head of an abortion rights legal nonprofit says she expects a Mississippi law to be among the first affected by the U.S. Supreme Court's decision overturning a Texas abortion law. Both require doctors who perform abortions to be able to admit patients to a nearby hospital.
Nancy Northup of the Center for Reproductive Rights says Mississippi's case is already pending before the high court, so it's likely to be affected soon. She spoke during a conference call Monday with leaders of other groups that support pro-abortion rights.
Louisiana also has a similar law. The federal judge who heard that case has not yet ruled, although an interim opinion found the requirement unconstitutional.
Stephanie Toti, an attorney for the center, says the Supreme Court ruling is likely to be "a powerful tool" against many other restrictions on abortions. She says that in coming weeks, the organization will decide which to attack.
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1:30 p.m.
The sponsor of a Mississippi abortion law says he thinks it probably will fall, since the U.S. Supreme Court has overturned a similar law in Texas.
Both laws require doctors who perform abortions to be able to admit patients to a nearby hospital. Mississippi's law is also before the Supreme Court.
Rep. Sam Mims, a Republican from McComb, emphasizes that he's not a lawyer. He says the ruling is disappointing and shows the justices who voted to overturn the Texas law are more concerned about access to abortions than health care for women.
Justice Stephen Breyer's majority opinion said Texas failed to show any improvement in protecting women's health.
A federal judge in Baton Rouge has ruled that a similar regulation is unconstitutional but has yet to make a final decision about Louisiana's law.
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1 p.m.
The governors of Louisiana and Mississippi say health and safety were behind state laws requiring doctors who perform abortions to be able to admit patients to a nearby hospital.
Both states have laws similar to a Texas law overturned Monday by the U.S. Supreme Court. The high court says it was shown to be a substantial obstacle to abortions without any improvement in protecting women's health.
Louisiana's law is before a federal judge, and Mississippi's is before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant says he's disappointed by the Texas ruling. Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves said it endangers women's lives.
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards says the state must respect the ruling. State Attorney General Jeff Landry says there are differences between both the laws and circumstances in Texas and Louisiana.
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11:57 a.m.
Louisiana Right to Life says the Supreme Court's ruling on a Texas abortion law may indicate trouble ahead for a similar Louisiana law.
Legislative Director Deanna Wallace says Monday's decision doesn't invalidate Louisiana's law requiring doctors who perform abortions to be able to admit patients to a hospital within 30 miles of their clinic. But she says it "does not predict a favorable forecast for its future."
State Attorney General Jeff Landry says Louisiana's law differs from the Texas law, and the Supreme Court ruling was heavily based on facts in Texas.
The Center for Reproductive Rights represents clinics in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi, which also has a similar law. A news release says the decision is consistent with rulings which found the measures likely unconstitutional in those states.
It says clinics in Louisiana and Mississippi will remain open while the litigation continues.
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This story has been corrected to change "hospital within 30 miles" to "nearby hospital" in 1:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. items.
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