530 U.S. 914 (2000)
Stenberg v. Carhart is a landmark Supreme Court case addressing the constitutional rights related to abortion procedures.
Does a state law banning 'partial-birth abortion' without an exception for preserving the health of the mother, and using vague terms that could encompass other procedures, violate the constitutional rights established in Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey?
A state abortion regulation is unconstitutional if: (1) it does not include an exception for the preservation of the health of the mother, and (2) it imposes an undue burden on a woman's right to choose an abortion before fetal viability.
The Supreme Court held, in a 5-4 decision, that Nebraska's statute banning 'partial-birth abortion' was unconstitutional because it did not include an exception for the health of the mother and imposed an undue burden on a woman’s right to choose to have an abortion.
Stenberg v. Carhart is critical for law students because it underscores the importance of precise statutory language in abortion laws and reinforces the doctrine that abortion regulations must not infringe upon health protections or create unnecessary encumbrances on women's rights. It serves as a touchstone for analyzing future regulations and challenges surrounding abortion, particularly those that attempt to impose state interests over federal constitutional protections.