§ 65-6747 — Legal proceedings; public disclosure of name of woman, orders against such disclosure

In every civil, criminal or administrative proceeding or action arising out of a violation of K.S.A. 65-6703, 65-6721, K.S.A. 65-6724 or 65-6743, and amendments thereto, the court shall rule whether the anonymity of any woman upon whom an unlawful 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 such woman's 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 such order shall be accompanied by specific written findings explaining why the anonymity of the woman should be preserved from public disclosure, 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 unlawful abortion has been performed or attempted to be performed, anyone other than a public official who brings an action arising out of a violation of K.S.A. 65-6703, 65-6721, K.S.A. 65-6724 or 65-6743, and amendments thereto, shall do so under a pseudonym. This section shall not be construed to conceal the identity of the plaintiff or of witnesses from the defendant or from attorneys for the defendant.

Legislative History

L. 2015, ch. 22, § 7; July 1.