Republicans, parents rights advocates claim victory in New York equal rights amendment case
Judge removes ballot initiative that opponents say would trample parents’ rights
A proposed amendment to the New York State Constitution has been blocked by a state judge. Opponents of the ballot initiative say it would have allowed the state government to take over parents’ rights.
The controversial Equal Rights Amendment, which was on the ballot for the November elections in New York, has been tossed by a judge on procedural grounds.
The ruling is a victory for Republicans and opponents of the bill who say it was written too broadly and could trample parents’ rights when it comes to decisions like children receiving gender-affirming procedures.
The ERA was a rapid response by New York Democrats to the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson’s Women’s Health Organization decision in June 2022. The amendment passed both houses of the New York legislature in a special session just one week after the Dobbs decision was rendered.
The amendment, which advocates say is meant to enshrine women’s right to abortion in the Empire State, was passed so quickly that a judge in Livingston County determined the legislation was fatally flawed due to a procedural mistake.
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