Here, the ACLU represented Avalon Memorial Hospital, owned by Dr. Edward C. Allred, which refused to enforce provisions of the Fetal Death Registration Act, believing it to be in violation of the California Constitution and the patients' right to privacy. The hospital explained its stance when the Department of Heath Services of Los Angeles County attempted to enforce the Act, and a criminal complaint was filed against the hospital. The Fetal Death Registration Act required recording fetal death information about fetuses which had advanced beyond the twentieth week of pregnancy (approximately the midpoint of a pregnancy), and were terminated, either through stillbirth or abortion. The Act (Section 10175 of the Heath and Safety Code) also stipulated recording "the cause of fetal death, the race and occupation of the prospective parents, and the address and portions of the medical history of the prospective mother" and made them permanent public record.

The Court concluded that the Act violated the right to privacy guaranteed by Article 1, Section 1 of the California Constitution, and the charges against Avalon Memorial Hospital were dismissed.