Federal Judge Blocks Tennessee Law Restricting Adult Aid to Minors Seeking Out-of-State Abortions

A federal judge ruled that a 2024 Tennessee law criminalizing adults who provide information or assistance to minors seeking legal out-of-state abortions violates the First Amendment by engaging in impermissible viewpoint discrimination, as it bans speech encouraging abortion but permits speech discouraging it. Senior U.S. Circuit Judge Julia Gibbons permanently blocked enforcement of this provision, though the law's ultimate status remains pending appeal in the Sixth Circuit Court. The law, supported by Republican Gov. Bill Lee and GOP lawmakers, was challenged by abortion rights advocates including State Rep. Aftyn Behn and attorney Rachel Welty. Meanwhile, in Idaho, Attorney General Raúl Labrador agreed to a consent decree that prevents prosecution of healthcare providers who refer patients to abortion services out-of-state, following a lawsuit by Planned Parenthood and the ACLU. This settlement ended legal uncertainty over whether Idaho's abortion ban criminalized referrals for legal out-of-state abortions, with Labrador emphasizing that Idaho's pro-life laws remain intact but do not authorize prosecuting such referrals. The decree also requires Idaho to cover $400,000 in legal fees, ensuring medical providers can discuss and facilitate access to abortion services across state lines without fear of prosecution.