TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Azya Thornton on Sep 23, 2024

A federal judge has temporarily blocked Tennessee's law prohibiting adults from assisting minors in obtaining an abortion without parental consent, citing First Amendment concerns and the law's vagueness. The Associated Press reports that U.S. District Judge Aleta Trauger ruled Friday that the state cannot criminalize free communication about legal abortion options, stating that the freedom of speech guaranteed by the First Amendment “is a protection available to everyone.” The law, which took effect July 1, penalizes adults for "recruiting, harboring or transporting" minors for an abortion. The law was challenged by state Rep. Aftyn Behn, D-Nashville, and Nashville attorney Rachel Welty.