States are implementing laws that make it a crime to help a pregnant minor travel to get an abortion without parental consent, sparking legal challenges and proposed legislation in other states. The laws in Idaho and Tennessee outlaw “abortion trafficking,” while Alabama, Mississippi, and Oklahoma have introduced similar bills. These efforts come after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision last year that dismantled the federal right to abortion.
Abortion-rights advocates have filed lawsuits against the laws in Alabama, Idaho, and Tennessee, arguing they violate constitutional rights. The Idaho law has been temporarily blocked, while a hearing for a temporary injunction for the Tennessee law is scheduled for August.
Supporters of the laws argue they protect parental rights and prevent adults from influencing minors to get abortions. However, critics warn that the laws could have far-reaching consequences, impacting personal speech and interstate travel. Opponents question whether states should interfere in the affairs of other states and worry about the implications for free speech.
The laws in Tennessee and Idaho mimic model legislation from the National Right to Life Committee, focusing on minors despite them making up a small fraction of abortion recipients. Advocates believe these laws are intended to create a chilling effect and could ultimately harm those seeking abortions, even in states where it remains legal. The laws may also prompt legal challenges that could be supported by the conservative majority of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Source
Photo credit tennesseelookout.com
