Welty v. Dunaway

This brief was submitted in February 2026 on behalf of Midwest Access Coalition (MAC) in Welty v. Dunaway, a legal challenge before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit to a Tennessee law that criminalizes speech that helps young people access legal abortion.  Until the law took effect, MAC provided critical information and referrals, funding, and practical support to such young people to express solidarity with them. 

MAC’s amicus brief explains how contrary to State officials’ claims, criminalizing the speech of third parties like MAC neither promotes parents’ rights to be free of State interference in their childrearing decisions nor helps parents fulfill their obligations towards their children. In fact, it undermines parents’ rights by preventing some parents from helping their children secure necessary support from organizations like MAC. 

MAC is challenging the criminalization of expression helping young people access legal abortion care in its own separate legal challenge; they are represented by the Lawyering Project in that litigation.

Press Release: Midwest Access Coalition Submits Amicus Brief Detailing How Tennessee’s Criminalization of Speech Undermines Parental Rights