FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS ADVISORY
August 9, 2017
Steve Marshall
For More Information, contact:
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Alabama Attorney General
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Page 1 of 1
ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL APPEALS FEDERAL DISTRICT
COURT RULING AGAINST AMENDMENTS TO ALABAMA’S PARENTAL
CONSENT LAW
(MONTGOMERY) – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has filed an appeal of a
July 28, 2017, federal district court ruling that held unconstitutional the amendments
enacted in 2014 to procedures for bypassing Alabama’s parental consent law. The
th
appeal was filed Tuesday before the U.S. 11 Circuit Court of Appeals.
“The federal court erroneously concluded that amendments to Alabama’s parental
consent abortion law passed in 2014 undermine a minor’s right to anonymity and are
therefore unconstitutional,” said Attorney General Marshall. “The court ruling ignores
the numerous protections afforded under Alabama law to a minor seeking approval for
an abortion without parental consent.
“In fact, changes made to Alabama’s parental consent law serve to strengthen the ability
of bypass courts to obtain sufficient evidence in rendering a decision when a pregnant
minor seeks an abortion without the consent of a parent. During these bypass
proceedings, the minor’s right to confidentiality is preserved and the release of any
identifying information is prohibited. Furthermore, parents or legal guardian
participation is only allowed if they are ‘otherwise aware’ of the proceeding.
“Alabama’s parental consent law strikes a balance between protecting the privacy rights
of a pregnant minor and the obligation of a bypass court to render a decision in the best
interest of the minor’s well-being.”
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501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.alabama.gov
