In a majority opinion by Lewis F. Powell Jr., the Court struck down several provisions of an abortion law of Akron, Ohio, including portions found to be unconstitutionally vague.

Another provision stated that a physician may not perform an abortion on an unmarried minor under 15 years old without obtaining either consent from one of her parents or a judicial bypass.

The Ohio regulation extends the state's interest in informed consent beyond permissible limits, interfering with the discretion of the physician and placing unreasonable obstacles in his path.

The Court struck the provision down, as no state interest is served by the imposition of an "arbitrary and inflexible" waiting period.

The final challenged provision required physicians to ensure that fetal remains are disposed of in a "humane and sanitary manner."