§ 26-23G-8 — Anonymity of Certain Individuals in Court Proceedings

In every civil, criminal, or administrative proceeding or action brought under this chapter, the court shall rule whether the identity of any woman upon whom an abortion has been performed or attempted to be performed shall be preserved from public disclosure if she does not give her consent to such disclosure. The court, upon motion or sua sponte, shall make such a ruling and, upon determining that her anonymity should be preserved, shall issue orders to the parties, witnesses, and counsel and shall direct the sealing of the record and exclusion of individuals from courtrooms or hearing rooms to the extent necessary to safeguard her identity from public disclosure. Each order shall be accompanied by specific written findings explaining why the anonymity of the woman should be preserved, why the order is essential to that end, how the order is narrowly tailored to serve that interest, and why no reasonable less restrictive alternative exists. In the absence of written consent of the woman upon whom an abortion has been performed or attempted to be performed, anyone other than a public official who brings an action under Section 26-23G-4 or Section 26-23G-5 shall do so under a pseudonym. This section may not be construed to conceal the identity of the plaintiff or of witnesses from the defendant or from attorneys for the defendant.

Legislative History

(Act 2016-397, §8.)