MEMPHIS CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ET AL V. SLATERY ET AL

June 19, 2020:  Abortion facility owner-operators file suit against the new Tennessee law that bans abortion from 6 weeks and throughout the pregnancy and bans abortion for reasons of gender, race or a Down syndrome diagnosis.

The complaint was filed in federal court by Memphis Center for Reproductive Health, Planned Parenthood of Tennessee & North Mississippi, Knoxville Center for Reproductive Health,  Femhealth USA dba Carafem, Dr. Kimberly Looney and Dr. Nikki Zite.  New York-based American Civil Liberties Union Foundation, the Center for Reproductive Rights and Planned Parenthood Federaion of America are representing the abortion facilities and Tennessee's Attorney General will defend the constitutionality of the protective laws.

Plaintiff(s): Memphis Center for Reproductive Health, Planned Parenthood of Tennessee & North Mississippi, Knoxville Center for Reproductive Health, Femhealth USA dba Carafem, Dr. Kimberly Looney and Dr. Nikki Zite.

Defendants: Herbert H. Slatery, III, Attorney General of Tennessee, Lisa Piercey, MD, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Health, et al.

Judge: William L. Campbell, Jr.

Status: Open, Case Number: 3:20-cv-00501

Appeals Status: Closed, Case Number: 20-5969 (Appeal of TRO).  On November 20, 2020, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals rules that the ban on abortion for reasons (gender, race, or a Down syndrome diagnosis) can go into effect during the court challenge.

Legal Documents:

Memphis Center for Reproductive Health et al v Slatery complaint 06/19/2020

Actions:

June 24, 2020: Judge William Campbell issues a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) not allowing the new laws to go into effect during the court challenge.

August 21, 2020: Tennessee Attorney General William Slatery files an appeal of the TRO to the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.