shield law

noun

: a law that protects journalists from forced disclosure of confidential news sources

Examples of shield law in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As bans and restrictions have increased, states such as Oregon, Vermont, Connecticut, and Maryland have enacted shield laws to protect patients who cross state lines seeking gender-affirming care—and the health care professionals that provide it—from prosecution in other states. Solcyré Burga, Time, 23 Oct. 2025 But the state legislature later passed a shield law allowing officials to keep lethal injection drug suppliers private. Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2025 As Texas has sought to access patients’ medical records in other states, New Mexico passed a shield law that protects such information. Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025 Guttmacher does not include data on abortions provided through shield laws in its reports, but the Society of Family Planning includes such information in its trends, and numbers have been steadily increasing. Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shield law

Word History

First Known Use

1971, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shield law was in 1971

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Cite this Entry

“Shield law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shield%20law. Accessed 2 Nov. 2025.

Legal Definition

shield law

noun
: a law that prevents or protects against disclosure or revelation of information: as
b
: a law that protects journalists from disclosure of confidential news sources
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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