Reproductive Rights Cases

Alexander v. Sandoval - Determined whether disparate impact regulations adopted by federal agencies to effectuate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 are enforceable by private litigants in actions for declaratory and injunctive relief. April 2001

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists v. Thornburgh - Determined the constitutionality of the Pennsylvania Abortion Control Act, a state law that imposed waiting periods and required the dissemination of information concerning the risks of abortion to women seeking the procedure. June 1984

Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood - Determined the constitutionality of a law requiring parental notice for minor's abortion, where the law has no exception for medical emergencies. January 2006

Bray v. Alexandria Women’s Health Clinic - Determined whether anti-abortion protesters who obstruct access to abortion clinics violate 42 U.S.C. 1985(3), a law which prohibits conspiracies to deprive "any person or class of persons of the equal protection of the laws, or of equal privileges and immunities under the laws." January 1993

Mason v. State - Determined whether Nebraska, in passing law denying welfare benefits to a child because the child's family was already receiving welfare when the child was born, intended the law to apply to children whose parents were unable to work because of disability. December 2003