Assisting a minor to travel for an abortion can be considered a crime in some states

Republican-led states are criminalizing the act of helping pregnant minors travel for legal abortions without parental consent, sparking legal challenges and copycat legislation in other states. Idaho and Tennessee are the first two states to outlaw “abortion trafficking,” defined as assisting a minor in obtaining an abortion without parental permission. Several other Republican-led states have introduced similar bills, mirroring a trend of strict abortion bans following the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision. Critics argue that these laws infringe on constitutional rights to free speech and interstate travel, while proponents claim they protect parental rights. Legal challenges have been filed in Idaho, Alabama, and Tennessee, with temporary injunctions blocking enforcement in some cases. Opponents raise concerns about the implications of restricting travel and speech between friends or trusted adults. The laws also fail to exempt minors who become pregnant after being raped by a parent, raising further ethical concerns. The model legislation behind these laws was developed by the National Right to Life Committee, emphasizing the targeting of minors in an effort to pass more politically acceptable and legally defensible restrictions. Advocates of abortion rights warn that these laws could have significant negative impacts, including limiting access to abortion care and creating a chilling effect that deters individuals from seeking or providing assistance related to abortion.

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