Cameron's brief argues the trigger law, also known as the Human Life Protection Act, and a separate abortion measure commonly referred to as the Heartbeat Law, should stay in effect in Kentucky.
“Kentucky’s Constitution does not protect the right to an abortion; this matter has clearly been given to the people’s representatives in the Kentucky General Assembly, and they have spoken on this issue,” Cameron wrote.
The Republican attorney general has consistently said the general assembly acted within its rights when it approved the anti-abortion rights laws, including in the hours following the U.S. Supreme Court ruling.
"In Kentucky, we have expressed the value that we want to stand up and protect the lives of the unborn. I think that is a position to be proud of."Attorney General Daniel Cameron
But opponents, including Democratic Governor Andy Beshear, have labeled the trigger law extreme — noting it has no exceptions for rape or incest, only in cases in which the pregnancy threatens the life of the mother.
The Kentucky Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments in the case in mid-November, after the general election, when voters will have a chance to put explicit anti-abortion rights language into the state constitution. That would undercut the argument of abortion rights supporters, who say the document secures abortion rights by protecting the right to privacy and bodily autonomy.
