July 29, 2022

Federal Appeals Court Lifts Injunction Against Indiana Parental Notification Law

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita
On July 28, the 7th Circuit US Court of Appeals lifted an injunction against an Indiana law requiring abortion businesses to notify the parents or guardians of a minor who schedules an abortion.

“This pro-life victory is not just a win for me or this office,” Attorney General Todd Rokita said. “It’s a win for all Hoosiers who believe in protecting the sanctity of life, the health of women and the crucial importance of families.”

Indiana also has a parental consent law, but it includes an exception for minors who receive a judge's permission. Even in these cases, however, the parental notification law would still be enforced.

This is a stark contrast with Illinois. It does not have a parental consent law, and state legislators repealed the Parental Notice of Abortion Act last year. The repeal went into effect at the beginning of June. Now, Illinois abortion businesses can actively undercut these pro-life protections being provided by Indiana law.

Attorney General Rokita won three other abortion cases this month as well:
  • On July 7, a federal district court lifted an injunction on the state's dismemberment abortion ban.
  • On July 11, an appellate court vacated judgments in Whole Woman’s Health Alliance v. Rokita which invalidated several pro-life laws.
  • On July 18, a US District Court vacated a judgment blocking a law that banned discriminatory abortions based on the unborn child's race, sex, or disability diagnosis.