Maryland's highest court says state officials can keep secret the names of applicants for abortion clinic licenses.
The Court of Appeals ruled Monday in an appeal filed by Andrew Glenn, Montgomery County director of the Maryland Coalition for Life, which opposes abortion rights.
Glenn argued he was entitled to the names under Maryland's Public Information Act. He maintained he wanted to protect women from clinic operators with checkered safety records.
The Court of Appeals agreed with lower courts that withholding the names is necessary to prevent injury to the public. The 7-0 opinion notes "an unfortunate and lamentable record of violence toward abortion providers."
Glenn's attorney Erik Zimmerman of the American Center for Law and Justice says he's disappointed. He says the ruling can't be appealed to federal courts.
