Texas Abortion Clinics Suing To Undo Old Laws After 2016 Win

AUSTIN (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — Texas abortion providers are suing to undo decades-old regulations on doctors and clinics that they say deserve a second look after a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 2016.

The lawsuit filed Thursday challenges longstanding requirements over ultrasounds, waiting periods and licensing. Courts have already upheld some of the laws.

But the abortion provider Whole Woman's Health wants a federal judge to take a fresh look through the lens of a major Supreme Court decision that struck down HB2, a 2013 Texas anti-abortion law.

More than half (20+) of Texas' abortion clinics -- including nearly all that served rural and midsized cities -- shuttered under that law. Only a handful have reopened.

Texas had 41 abortion clinics in 17 counties the year before the law took effect and 21 clinics in 6 counties the year after — making Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, San Antonio and El Paso the only cities with abortion providers.

Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is a staunch abortion opponent. His office has asked lawmakers to consider expanding the attorney general's power to enforce abortion laws on the books.

(© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)