AG Moody Says Abortion Ordinance Preempted by State Law
Posted
Staff Report
BRADENTON – Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has issued an opinion that the county is "not authorized to adopt an ordinance regulating (other than reasonable zoning ordinances) or banning such clinics because such an ordinance would be preempted by Florida law."
In June, freshman Manatee County Commissioner James Satcher proposed such an ordinance, modeled on one passed in Lubbock, TX. A majority of board members agreed that rather than proceed with an ordinance that could bring expensive lawsuits, it would be more prudent to seek an AG opinionfirst.
The matter was largely viewed as a political stunt, as Manatee County has no abortion clinics and any such effort would likely be shot down by courts while entangling the county in costly legal battles.
On Monday, Manatee County Attorney William Clague emailed commissioners a copy of Moody's opinion.
"This concludes the work that the board directed my office to conduct on this issue," wrote Clague.
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