Latest American Civil Liberties Union News
US court lifts hold on Ohio's Down syndrome abortion law
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A divided federal appeals court lifted the hold Tuesday on an Ohio law that prohibits doctors from performing abortions based on a fetal diagnosis of Down syndrome, a case considered nationally pivotal. Judges of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of...
Inmate battling terminal cancer freed from Kansas prison
LANSING, Kan. (AP) — A 47-year-old man with terminal cancer was freed from a Kansas prison after officials agreed his medical condition is so severe he is not a danger to public safety. Christopher McIntyre, who was serving time for aggravated burglary, was released...
Judge orders Nebraska to transport prisoner for abortion
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A federal judge on Monday granted a Nebraska prisoner's request for an abortion and ordered state officials to transport her to a clinic so she can get the procedure on Tuesday, but the inmate will have to pay for the procedure herself and cover the state's costs to...
ACLU, defense lawyers seek probe into Springfield police
BOSTON (AP) — The American Civil Liberties Union and defense attorneys are asking Massachusetts' highest court to order an investigation into what they describe as rampant misconduct in the Springfield Police Department. The petition filed with the Supreme Judicial...

ACLU sues McMaster for ordering state workers' office return
The American Civil Liberties Union this week sued South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, arguing that his executive order requiring state agencies to “immediately expedite” employees' return to the office during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic exceeds the governor's authority. ...
Activists want change to debt-based license suspension bill
SEATTLE (AP) — Lawmakers in Washington state are moving ahead with a bill that aims to end the suspension of driver’s licenses for failure to pay traffic tickets — despite opposition from some of the activists who pushed for the change in the first place. The...
Lawsuit over correction's handling of COVID-19 will proceed
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A Ramsey County judge has ruled a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota can proceed against the Minnesota Department of Corrections over its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Judge Sara Grewing ruled this week that all...
North Dakota House approves Ten Commandments school bill
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota’s Republican-led House overwhelmingly endorsed legislation Tuesday that’s aimed at shielding schools and teachers from lawsuits arising from posting the Ten Commandments in classrooms. The 76-16 vote came despite warnings from...
Virginia lawmakers ban police use of facial recognition
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Last month, Virginia lawmakers quietly passed one of the most restrictive bans in the country on the use of facial recognition technology. The legislation, which won unusually broad bipartisan support, prohibits all local law enforcement agencies...

Arkansas governor signs medical conscience objections law
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Friday signed into law legislation allowing doctors to refuse to treat someone because of religious or moral objections, a move opponents have said will give providers broad powers to turn away LGBTQ patients and others. ...
