Background: House Bill 378 will make it a misdemeanor for someone to aid a minor in accessing an abortion or an abortion-inducing drug without the consent of the minor’s parent or guardian. “Aiding,” in the context of this legislation, would include harboring, transporting, or any other form of aid to accessing abortion care. The misdemeanor would be punishable with as much as a year in prison.
Our Position: We oppose House Bill 378. The ACLU is committed to protecting the right of an individual to make their own reproductive decisions. This bill is an example of Alabama’s legislature adding to its portfolio of anti-repro justice legislation by criminalizing those that seek to assist and protect those in need of abortion. This legislation will prevent minors from receiving assistance in obtaining abortion care from trustworthy adults and medical professionals.
