Parental

Maine Mother Battles for Legal Reform After Court Allows Convicted Abuser Parental Rights

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AUGUSTA, Maine — Bonnie Dennison has been grappling with a judicial decision that, more than a decade after her son was nearly killed by his father, allows the man supervised visits and written correspondence with the child. This ruling has reignited concerns about Maine’s child protection laws, particularly those related to the rights of parents convicted of abuse. The ruling from the Maine Supreme Judicial Court came after Allen-Michael St. Claire, the father, was allowed to start reconnecting with his son, despite his prior conviction for assaulting the boy when he was just an infant. … Read more

Idaho Teen Faces Hurdles Under Parental Consent Law After Giving Birth

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In Boise, Idaho, a complex interplay of health policy and personal circumstance is stirring debate after a young teenager faced significant hurdles accessing healthcare due to Idaho’s parental consent law. At just 15, the teen navigated her pregnancy and subsequent medical needs under a statute that requires parental consent for most medical treatments for minors. This law placed her in a precarious position, highlighting a critical issue faced by minors seeking reproductive healthcare independently in Idaho. The law stipulates that medical professionals must obtain consent from a guardian before administering care, except in life-threatening situations. … Read more

Federal Judge Halts Tennessee Law Against Assisting Minors in Abortion Without Parental Consent

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Nashville, Tenn. — A U.S. District Court Judge has temporarily suspended Tennessee’s statute that criminalizes assisting minors in obtaining an abortion without parental consent. Judge Aleta Trauger’s ruling on Friday serves as a significant pause to the state law as it works its way through legal proceedings. The contentious measure, pushed through by Tennessee’s Republican-majority Legislature and sanctioned by Governor Bill Lee, criminalizes any adult who “intentionally recruits, harbors, or transports” a minor within the state for the purpose of securing an abortion, without the requisite parental authorization. Violators face potential prosecution under a Class … Read more

Federal Judge Halts Tennessee Law Against Assisting Minors’ Abortions Without Parental Consent

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Nashville, Tennessee — A Tennessee regulation criminalizing adults who help minors obtain an abortion without parental consent was halted temporarily by a federal court ruling on Friday. The state’s law, which was put into effect on July 1, faced scrutiny for its stringent restrictions and potential violation of constitutional rights. U.S. District Judge Aleta Trauger presided over the decision, instituting a temporary block on the law while the legal proceedings continue. Judge Trauger’s 49-page ruling emphasized the problematic aspects of stifling communication about legal medical procedures and the broad implications for free speech rights. Earlier … Read more