Planned Parenthood drops Kansas abortion lawsuit

Planned Parenthood says it has dropped a federal lawsuit challenging a Kansas rule for websites operated by abortion providers.

U.S. District Judge Kathryn Vratil issued a one-page order Friday closing the lawsuit filed last year. A trial had been scheduled to begin Monday in Kansas City, Kansas.

Vratil’s order said the state and Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri had settled the case.

But Planned Parenthood spokeswoman Elise Higgins said in an email that the group voluntarily dismissed its case.

A requirement enacted by legislators in 2013 says abortion providers must have a link on their website home pages to state materials about abortion and fetal development.

Planned Parenthood argued its free-speech rights were violated. The state argued the rule was in line with its power to regulate medicine.