Boom! Lawyered: Forced Ultrasound and the First Amendment

Imani Gandy & Jessica Mason Pieklo

Our podcast examines a petition challenging a forced ultrasound law that could determine the free speech rights of abortion providers.

Under the law, the physician or technician must display and describe the ultrasound image whether or not the patient objects, and even if the patient seeks to avoid the state-mandated speech and image by covering their ears and eyes. Shutterstock

There’s only one abortion clinic left in Kentucky, and by law its doctors must place ultrasound images in the patient’s view and read a state-mandated script. Recently, the ACLU filed a petition on behalf of the clinic asking the Supreme Court to step in. On this episode of Boom! Lawyered, Imani Gandy and Jessica Mason Pieklo explain the forced ultrasound law, its harms, and how the Roberts Court could protect—or devastate—the free speech rights of providers if they take the case.

Transcript (PDF)