Abortion in Kansas

In the 19th century, bans by state legislatures on abortion were about protecting the life of the mother given the number of deaths caused by abortions; state governments saw themselves as looking out for the lives of their citizens.

In 1997, the Kansas legislature passed the Woman's Right to Know Act, which required, except in the case of a medical emergency, a 24-hour period between the time that the woman is informed in writing of legally-required information and the abortion.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Compilation of Provisions of the Kansas Statutes Annotated Related to Health Care Providers|url=https://www.kha-net.org/AboutKHA/KHAGovernance/CorporateCompliance/Legal/d38398.aspx?type=view|access-date=|website=}} The state passed a law in the 2000s banning abortions at 22 weeks{{cite web | url=https://www.guttmacher.org/fact-sheet/state-facts-about-abortion-kansas | title=State Facts About Abortion: Kansas | date=2016-01-26}} based on the theory that a fetus can feel pain at that point in development.{{cite web|url=https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/06/18/us/politics/abortion-restrictions.html|title=Abortion Restrictions in States |website=The New York Times |access-date=2019-05-25}} The state was one of 23 states in 2007 to have a detailed abortion-specific informed consent requirement.{{cite web|url=https://www.guttmacher.org/sites/default/files/graphics/gpr1004/gpr100406t1.pdf|title=State Policy On Informed Consent for Abortion|date=Fall 2007|website=Guttmacher Policy Review|access-date=May 22, 2019}} Some states, including Kansas, have passed laws requiring abortion providers to warn patients of a link between abortion and breast cancer and to issue other scientifically unsupported warnings.{{cite web|url=http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2012/05/do_abortions_cause_breast_cancer_kansas_state_house_abortion_act_invokes_shaky_science_for_political_gain_.html|title=Do abortions cause breast cancer? Kansas State House Abortion Act invokes shaky science for political gain.|work=Slate |date=2012-05-23|access-date=2015-06-28}}{{cite web|url=https://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/gpr/09/4/gpr090406.html#t1|title=Misinformed Consent: The Medical Accuracy of State-Developed Abortion Counseling Materials|date=2006-10-25}} In 2013, state Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers (TRAP) law applied to medication induced abortions and private doctor offices in addition to abortion clinics.{{cite web|url=https://www.guttmacher.org/gpr/2013/06/trap-laws-gain-political-traction-while-abortion-clinics-and-women-they-serve-pay-price|title=TRAP Laws Gain Political Traction While Abortion Clinics—and the Women They Serve—Pay the Price|date=2013-06-27|website=Guttmacher Institute|language=en|access-date=2019-05-27}} An anti-abortion bill was introduced and referred to committee in February 2013. The bill was presented to the Kansas House in March 2013.{{cite web|url=http://kslegislature.org/li/b2013_14/measures/hb2324/|title=HB 2324|work=kslegislature.org}} The bill was known as House Bill 2324, "An act prohibiting an abortion of an unborn human individual with a detectable fetal heartbeat."{{cite web|url=http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2014/b2013_14/measures/documents/hb2324_00_0000.pdf |title=House Bill No. 2324 |website=www.kslegislature.org |access-date=2019-07-06}} One outspoken advocate of such bills is Mark Gietzen, who tried to gather as many signatures as possible in order to get then-Governor Sam Brownback to convene a special session of Congress in order to consider the bill.{{cite web|url=http://www.kansas.com/2011/07/17/1936557/groups-push-stricter-abortion.html|title=Kansas groups push stricter abortion limits|work=kansas|access-date=2019-05-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120819141313/http://www.kansas.com/2011/07/17/1936557/groups-push-stricter-abortion.html|archive-date=2012-08-19|url-status=dead}} Gietzen also advocated for a fetal heartbeat law to be passed during a special session of the Kansas legislature, to be held on September 3, 2013.{{cite web|url=http://signal.baldwincity.com/news/2013/jul/29/kansas-abortion-group-sees-opportunity-special-ses/|title=Kansas abortion group sees opportunity in special session - BaldwinCity.com|work=baldwincity.com}} HB 2324 died in committee in May 2014. Kansas lawmakers approved sweeping anti-abortion legislation ([http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2013_14/measures/hb2253/ HB 2253]) on April 6, 2013, that says life begins at fertilization, forbids abortion based on gender and bans Planned Parenthood from providing sex education in schools.{{cite web|url=http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/06/17623840-kansas-lawmakers-pass-sweeping-anti-abortion-legislation|title=Kansas lawmakers pass sweeping anti-abortion legislation |website=U.S. News & World Report}} The state was one of six that tried to ban abortions in 2013.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/us/abortion-laws-states.html,%20https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/us/abortion-laws-states.html|title=Abortion Bans: 8 States Have Passed Bills to Limit the Procedure This Year|last=Lai|first=K. K. Rebecca|date=2019-05-15|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-05-24|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}} The state legislature was one of five states nationwide that tried, and failed, to pass a fetal heartbeat bill in 2014.

In 2015, Kansas became the first state to ban the dilation and evacuation procedure, a common second-trimester abortion procedure.[https://news.yahoo.com/kansas-governor-signs-nations-1st-ban-abortion-procedure-144832291.html Kansas governor signs nation's 1st ban on abortion procedure - Yahoo News]. News.yahoo.com (2015-04-07). Retrieved on 2015-04-12. But the new law was later struck down by the Kansas Court of Appeals in January 2016 without ever having gone into effect.{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/4190155/kansas-second-trimester-abortion-ban/|title=Kansas Court Strikes Down Second-Trimester Abortion Ban|last=Alter|first=Charlotte|magazine=Time |access-date=2016-10-20}} In April 2019, the Kansas Supreme Court affirmed the lower court's decision, and ruled that the right to abortion is inherent within the state's constitution and bill of rights, such that even if Roe v. Wade was overturned and the federal protection of abortion rights was withdrawn, the right would still be allowed within Kansas, barring a change in the state constitution.{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2019/04/26/717449336/kansas-supreme-court-rules-state-constitution-protects-right-to-abortion|title=Kansas Supreme Court Rules State Constitution Protects Right To Abortion|last1=Margolies|first1=Dan|last2=Llopis-Jepsen|first2=Celia|date=April 26, 2019|work=NPR|access-date=April 26, 2019}} In mid-May 2019, state law banned abortion after week 22.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/15/us/abortion-laws-2019.html|title='The Time Is Now': States Are Rushing to Restrict Abortion, or to Protect It|last=Tavernise|first=Sabrina|date=2019-05-15|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-05-24|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}} In 2019, women in Kansas were eligible for pregnancy accommodation and pregnancy-related temporary disability as a result of abortion or miscarriage if their employer had four or more employees. Employers were required to offer unpaid leave upon request and employees could not be punished for requesting it.{{cite web|url=https://www.dol.gov/wb/maps/3.htm|title=U.S. Department of Labor - Employment Protection For Workers Who Are Pregnant Or Nursing|website=www.dol.gov|access-date=2019-05-29}}{{cite web|url=https://www.dol.gov/wb/state_protection_summary_508_txt.htm|title=Employment Protections For Workers Who Are Pregnant or Nursing|website=www.dol.gov|access-date=2019-05-29}}

{{main|2022 Kansas Value Them Both Amendment}}

In response to the 2019 Kansas Supreme Court ruling, on January 29, 2020, the Kansas Senate passed [http://kslegislature.org/li_2020/b2019_20/measures/documents/scr1613_01_0000.pdf SCR 1613], a proposition to add the Value Them Both Amendment to the state constitution.{{Cite web|title=SCR 1613 {{!}} Bills and Resolutions {{!}} Kansas State Legislature|url=http://kslegislature.org/li_2020/b2019_20/measures/scr1613/|access-date=2021-01-29|website=kslegislature.org}} The Value Them Both Amendment would overturn the 2019 Kansas Supreme Court ruling, stating that "the constitution of the state of Kansas does not require government funding of abortion and does not create or secure a right to abortion" ([http://kslegislature.org/li_2020/b2019_20/measures/documents/scr1613_01_0000.pdf SCR 1613]). On February 7, 2020, the proposed amendment failed to reach the need two-thirds majority vote in the Kansas House of Representatives.

On January 22, 2021, the Kansas House of Representatives passed [http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/hcr5003_00_0000.pdf HCR 5003], a new proposition to add the Value Them Both Amendment to the state constitution.{{Cite web|title=Bills and Resolutions {{!}} Kansas State Legislature|url=http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210122113106_318542/|access-date=2021-01-29|website=www.kslegislature.org}} Six days later on Jan. 28, the Kansas Senate passed the Amendment.{{Cite web|title=Bills and Resolutions {{!}} Kansas State Legislature|url=http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210128171734_032316/|access-date=2021-01-29|website=www.kslegislature.org}} The proposed amendment was voted upon in a referendum on August 2, 2022, and defeated.{{Cite web|last=Samples|first=Chuck|title=Value Them Both amendment passes Senate, to go on August 2022 primary ballot|url=https://kvoe.com/news/item/52365-value-them-both-amendment-passes-senate-to-go-on-august-2022-primary-ballot|access-date=2021-01-29|website=kvoe.com|language=en-us}}

The Concurrent Resolution proposed "to amend the bill of rights of the constitution of the state of Kansas by adding a new section thereto stating that there is no constitutional right to abortion, and reserving to the people the ability to regulate abortion through the elected members of the legislature of the state of Kansas." ([http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/hcr5003_00_0000.pdf HCR 5003])

The full text of the Value Them Both Amendment states:

"Because Kansans value both women and children, the constitution of the state of Kansas does not require government funding of abortion and does not create or secure a right to abortion. To the extent permitted by the constitution of the United States, the people, through their elected state representatives and state senators, may pass laws regarding abortion, including, but not limited to, in circumstances of pregnancy resulting from rape or incest, or when necessary to save the life of the mother." ([http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/hcr5003_00_0000.pdf HCR 5003])

"The Value Them Both Amendment would affirm there is no Kansas constitutional right to abortion or to require the government funding of abortion, and would reserve to the people of Kansas, through their elected state legislators, the right to pass laws to regulate abortion, including, but not limited to, in circumstances of pregnancy resulting from rape or incest, or when necessary to save the life of the mother. A vote for the Value Them Both Amendment would affirm there is no Kansas constitutional right to abortion or to require the government funding of abortion, and would reserve to the people of Kansas, through their elected state legislators, the right to pass laws to regulate abortion. A vote against the Value Them Both Amendment would make no changes to the constitution of the state of Kansas, and could restrict the people, through their elected state legislators, from regulating abortion by leaving in place the recently recognized right to abortion." ([http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/hcr5003_00_0000.pdf HCR 5003])

On August 2, Kansas voters defeated the measure; abortion remains legal in Kansas.{{cite web |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2022/08/kansas-abortion-vote/671029/ |title=The Kansas Abortion Shocker |website=The Atlantic |date=2022-08-03}}

The US Supreme Court's decision in 1973's Roe v. Wade ruling meant the state could no longer regulate abortion in the first trimester.{{Cite journal|last=Buell|first=Samuel|date=1991-01-01|title=Criminal Abortion Revisited|url=https://scholarship.law.duke.edu/faculty_scholarship/2174|journal=New York University Law Review|volume=66|issue=6|pages=1774–1831|pmid=11652642}} In 1983's Planned Parenthood Association of Kansas City v. Ashcroft, the US Supreme Court said the state could require two doctors be present when a third-trimester abortion was being performed and that the abortion providers for third-trimester abortions could be required to submit a pathology report to the state. The US Supreme Court did allow for only one doctor in the case of an emergency. In 2018, the Kansas Supreme Court ruled on the state's 2015 abortion ban.{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/state-legislatures-see-flurry-of-activity-on-abortion-bills|title=State legislatures see flurry of activity on abortion bills|date=2018-02-03|website=PBS NewsHour|language=en-us|access-date=2019-05-26}} The U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, {{ussc|597||2022|docket=19-1392}} later in 2022.{{cite web |url = https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/24/politics/dobbs-mississippi-supreme-court-abortion-roe-wade/index.html |title = Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade |first = Ariane |last = de Vogue |date=June 24, 2022 |access-date=June 24, 2022 |work = CNN |archive-date=June 24, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220624141808/https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/24/politics/dobbs-mississippi-supreme-court-abortion-roe-wade/index.html |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Howe |first1 = Amy |title = Supreme Court overturns constitutional right to abortion |url=https://www.scotusblog.com/2022/06/supreme-court-overturns-constitutional-right-to-abortion/ |work = SCOTUSblog |date=June 24, 2022 |access-date=June 24, 2022 |archive-date=June 24, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220624142633/https://www.scotusblog.com/2022/06/supreme-court-overturns-constitutional-right-to-abortion/ |url-status = live}}

On July 5, 2024, the Kansas Supreme Court struck down two laws restricting abortion: a procedure that's common in the second trimester and certain regulations that apply to abortion providers.{{Cite web |last=Hanna |first=John |date=2024-07-05 |title=Kansas Supreme Court Strikes Down Two Anti-Abortion Laws |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kansas-abortion-laws-supreme-court_n_66882b22e4b0c732b46232fb |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=HuffPost |language=en}}

File:Number of abortion clinics in Kansas by year.png

{{See also|Abortion clinic}}Between 1982 and 1992, the number of abortion clinics in the state decreased by eight, going from 23 in 1982 to fifteen in 1992.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RDqXplZptaIC|title=A State-By-State Review of Abortion and Reproductive Rights|last1=Arndorfer|first1=Elizabeth|last2=Michael|first2=Jodi|last3=Moskowitz|first3=Laura|last4=Grant|first4=Juli A.|last5=Siebel|first5=Liza|date=December 1998|publisher=Diane Publishing|isbn=9780788174810|language=en}} In 2014, there were four abortion clinics in the state.{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/how-many-abortion-clinics-are-in-america-each-state-2017-2|title=The number of abortion clinics in the US has plunged in the last decade — here's how many are in each state|first1=Rebecca |last1=Harrington |first2=Skye |last2=Gould|website=Business Insider|access-date=2019-05-23}} In 2014, 97% of the counties in the state did not have an abortion clinic. That year, 56% of women in the state aged 15–44 lived in a county without an abortion clinic.{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.es/abortion-access-in-america-maps-charts-if-roe-falls-2018-8|title=This is what could happen if Roe v. Wade fell |date=2018-08-04|website=Business Insider|language=es|access-date=2019-05-24|archive-date=2019-05-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524083342/https://www.businessinsider.es/abortion-access-in-america-maps-charts-if-roe-falls-2018-8|url-status=dead}} In 2017, there were two Planned Parenthood clinics, both of which offered abortion services, in a state with a population of 644,117 women aged 15–49.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2017-planned-parenthood-locations-states/|title=Here's Where Women Have Less Access to Planned Parenthood|access-date=2019-05-23|language=en}}

In 2013, Julie Burkhart opened a clinic in Wichita called Trust Women Wichita, part of Trust Women Foundation. Burkhart was a colleague of the murdered Dr. George Tiller, and by 2013 she had taken over Tiller's clinic following his murder.{{cite web|url=https://thepublicsradio.org/article/would-overturning-abortion-rights-turn-back-clock-to-1973|title=Would overturning abortion rights turn back clock to 1973?|date=2019-05-26|website=The Public's Radio|language=en|access-date=2019-05-26}} Because of state law, providing abortions to women in the area added costs, both financial and time, for both the clinic and women seeking abortions.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/george-tiller-murdered-abortion-doctor-trust-women-foundation-interview-1440383|title = Who was Dr. George Tiller? Legacy of murdered abortion doctor lives on through Trust Women Foundation| website=Newsweek |date=2019-05-31}}

In the period between 1972 and 1974, there were zero recorded illegal abortion deaths in the state.{{Cite journal|last1=Cates|first1=Willard|last2=Rochat|first2=Roger|date=March 1976|title=Illegal Abortions in the United States: 1972–1974|journal=Family Planning Perspectives|volume=8|issue=2|pages=86–92|doi=10.2307/2133995|jstor=2133995|pmid=1269687}} In 1990, 276,000 women in the state faced the risk of an unintended pregnancy. In 2010, the state had zero publicly funded abortions.{{cite web|url=https://data.guttmacher.org/states/table?state=AL+AK+AZ+AR+CA+CO+CT+DE+DC+FL+GA+HI+ID+IL+IN+IA+KS+KY+LA+ME+MD+MA+MI+MN+MS+MO+MT+NE+NV+NH+NJ+NM+NY+NC+ND+OH+OK+OR+PA+RI+SC+SD+TN+TX+UT+VT+VA+WA+WV+WI+WY&topics=62&dataset=data|title=Guttmacher Data Center|website=data.guttmacher.org|access-date=2019-05-24}} In 2013, among white women aged 15–19, there were 270 total abortions, 50 abortions for black women aged 15–19, 60 abortions for Hispanic women aged 15–19, and 40 abortions for women of all other races.{{cite web|url=https://data.guttmacher.org/states/table?state=AL+AK+AZ+AR+CA+CO+CT+DE+DC+FL+GA+HI+ID+IL+IN+IA+KS+KY+LA+ME+MD+MA+MI+MN+MS+MO+MT+NE+NV+NH+NJ+NM+NY+NC+ND+OH+OK+OR+PA+RI+SC+SD+TN+TX+UT+VT+VA+WA+WV+WI+WY&dataset=data&topics=87|title=No. of abortions among women aged 15–19, by state of residence, 2013 by racial group|website=Guttmacher Data Center|access-date=2019-05-24}}

Public opinion is split concerning the legal status of abortion. In 2014, 49% of adults said in a poll of 307 Kansans by the Pew Research Center that abortion should be legal vs 49% that said it should be illegal in all or most cases.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Views about abortion by state|url=https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/religious-landscape-study/compare/views-about-abortion/by/state/#views-about-abortion|access-date=June 27, 2022|website=Pew Research Center}} In 2016, Fort Hays State University's Kansas Speaks survey reported from a sample size of 1,043 that 26% of respondents opposed abortion in all situations, 38% were in favor of abortion is some situations, 8% were in favor of abortion in most situations, and 29% said abortion should be permitted for any woman that chooses it.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Kansas Speaks 2016 Statewide Public Opinion Survey|url=https://www.fhsu.edu/docking/Kansas-Speaks/kansas-speaks-2016-final-report.-with-bz-correction-to-fig-8-and-9|access-date=|website=}}

In a 2018-Midterms Voter Analysis by Fox News, using survey data from the National Opinion Research Center and The Associated Press with 929 respondents, 19% of those surveyed said abortion should be legal in all cases, 35% said abortion should be legal in most cases, 32% said abortion should be illegal in most cases, and 14% said abortion should be illegal in all cases. In the same analysis, with 3,905 respondents, 4% said abortion was the most important issue facing the country, of which in the Kansas gubernatorial election, 82% voted for Republican candidate Kris Kobach, 14% voted for Democratic candidate Laura Kelly, 2% voted for independent candidate Greg Orman, and 2% voted for another candidate.

File:Women's March Topeka, KS 2017 (31606806664).jpgFile:Women's March Topeka, KS 2017 (31606553314).jpg

Women from the state participated in marches supporting abortion rights as part of a #StoptheBans movement in May 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/05/21/abortion-laws-stopthebans-rallies-set-across-nation-today/3750913002/|title=Abortion rights supporters' voices thunder at #StopTheBans rallies across the nation|last=Bacon|first=John|website=USA Today|language=en|access-date=2019-05-25}}

Following the overturn of Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022, hundreds of abortion rights protesters gathered outside the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka, Kansas.{{cite web|url=https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/state/2022/06/25/kansas-abortion-advocates-protest-roe-v-wade-overturned-supreme-court/7724924001/|title=Abortion-rights protesters in Kansas view Roe v. Wade fall as call to action for Aug. 2 ballot|last1=Bahl|first1=Andrew|last2=Alatidd|first2=Jason|website=The Topeka Capital-Journal|language=en|access-date=2024-03-09}}

On August 22, 2024, an abortion rights and gun safety rally was held in Leawood, Kansas.{{cite web|url=https://kansasreflector.com/2024/08/24/kansas-women-rally-adjacent-to-j-d-vance-fundraiser-with-vulnerable-plea-for-reproductive-rights/|title=Kansas women rally adjacent to J.D. Vance fundraiser, with vulnerable plea for reproductive rights|last1=Hills|first1=Grace|website=Kansas Reflector|language=en|access-date=2024-09-24}}

In 1983, Kansans for Life was formed.{{Cite web|title=Kansans for Life History {{!}} Pro-Life Legislation in Kansas|url=https://kfl.org/history/|access-date=2021-01-31|website=Kansans For Life|language=en-US}} In 1991 in Wichita, Operation Rescue blockaded three abortion clinics over a six-week period as part of an effort they called the "Summer of Mercy".{{Cite journal|last1=Jacobson|first1=Mireille|last2=Royer|first2=Heather|date=December 2010|title=Aftershocks: The Impact of Clinic Violence on Abortion Services|url=http://www.nber.org/papers/w16603|journal=American Economic Journal: Applied Economics|volume=3|pages=189–223|doi=10.1257/app.3.1.189}} This was one of three large pro-life protests that received extensive media coverage.

{{See also|Assassination of George Tiller}}

In August 1982, three men identifying as the Army of God kidnapped Hector Zevallos, a doctor and clinic owner, and his wife, Rosalee Jean, holding them for eight days and released them unharmed.Baird-Windle, Patricia & Bader, Eleanor J., (2001), Targets of Hatred: Anti-Abortion Terrorism, New York, St. Martin's Press, {{ISBN|978-0-312-23925-1}}

On May 19, 1993, shots were fired into the home of Dr. Robert Crist of Overland Park, Kansas. The assailant was never caught.{{Cite web|url=https://www.arcc-cdac.ca/media/2020/06/anti-choice-terrorism-murders-attempted-murders.pdf|title=Anti-choice Terrorism: Murders and Attempted Murders |website=Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada|access-date=2024-09-28}}

In 1993, Shelley Shannon, an Army of God member, admitted to the attempted murder of Dr. George Tiller.{{cite web|url=http://www.billwarnerpi.com/2009/05/dr-george-tiller-murdered-by-army-of.html|title=Bill Warner Private Investigator Sarasota Fl to Panama City, Male & Female Detectives Dr. George Tiller Murdered by Army of God (AOG) Member, Shooting Suspect Scott P. Roeder Identified By Sheriff, AOG Alive And Well in Wichita Kansas. Bill Warner Private Investigator|last=Warner|first=Bill|date=May 31, 2009|access-date=November 22, 2009}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/11/29/us/30abortion-clinic-violence.html,%20https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/11/29/us/30abortion-clinic-violence.html|title=A Brief History of Deadly Attacks on Abortion Providers|last=Stack|first=Liam|date=2015-11-29|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-05-23|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/sns-abortion-timeline-story.html|title=Timeline of abortion laws and events |website=Chicago Tribune |date=2001-03-29 |access-date=2019-05-23}} Law enforcement officials found the Army of God Manual, a tactical guide to arson, chemical attacks, invasions, and bombings buried in Shelley Shannon's backyard.

Dr. George Tiller was shot and killed by Scott Roeder on May 31, 2009, as Tiller served as an usher at a church in Wichita, Kansas.Joe Rodriguez; Tim Potter; Stan Finger (June 1, 2009). "[http://www.kansas.com/news/breaking/story/833730.html Suspect in shooting death of abortion provider George Tiller may be charged today]". The Wichita Eagle. Archived from the original on June 6, 2009. Retrieved October 15, 2010.{{cite web|url=https://www.thecut.com/2017/01/timeline-the-200-year-fight-for-abortion-access.html|title=Timeline: The 200-Year Fight for Abortion Access|last=Larson|first=Jordan|website=The Cut |date=2017-01-17 |language=en|access-date=2019-05-25}} Witnesses said that Roeder walked up and put a gun to Tiller's head before shooting him. As a consequence of his death, his family closed the clinic where he performed abortions. The murder was one of the first occasions in the United States where a clinic closed as a result of an abortion clinic related murder.

{{reflist}}

{{Abortion by US state}}

Kansas

Category:Healthcare in Kansas

Category:Women in Kansas