This is a proposed constitutional amendment that would require a doctor to notify a parent or guardian before performing an abortion on an under-18-year-old girl, and would require a waiting period of 48 hours after notification is given before the abortion could be performed. Parents must be notified but they do not have to consent. There are also some exceptions:
- Doctors can notify adult relatives other than a parent if the doctor reports the parent to law enforcement or Child Protective Services.
- Notification is not necessary in a medical emergency or if a parental waiver has already been obtained.
- A judge can waive the notification requirement if it's in the minor's best interest.
My vote: Yes.
Why: Parents are (or should be) responsible for their children and big things like this should not happen without the knowledge of the parents. While I recognize that some girls may not want to tell for fear of violence or whatever else, there are provisions for them in this law. Children should not be able to do something like this without their parents knowing about it. Yeah, some will get in trouble - but an abortion is a huge decision and minors should not be making them on their own. It’s an imperfect law but I think it’s better than no parental notification.
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