Seventh Circuit rules Indiana cannot ban doctors from discussing abortion with minors

A three-judge panel of the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled against an Indiana law that prohibited medical professionals from discussing abortion options with minors without parental consent. The ruling affirms a previous decision that the state’s “aid-or-assist” law unconstitutionally infringed upon the free speech rights of abortion providers.

While abortion remains largely illegal in Indiana, the court's decision means medical professionals are legally permitted to provide information to minors regarding arranging abortions in other states where the procedure is lawful. Judge David Hamilton noted that Indiana officials cannot make it illegal to provide information about lawful conduct occurring in other jurisdictions.