Abortion for Minor Requires Notice to or Consent from Parent or Guardian or Through Judicial Bypass
Alaska Ballot Measure - Ballot Measure No. 2 - 09PIMA
Election: Aug. 24, 2010 (Primary)
Outcome: Passed
Categories:
AbortionMinors and Children
Summary
Under current law, all women having abortions must give informed consent. Under current law, a minor may end her pregnancy without telling a parent. This Act would change parts of an old law that required a parent to consent to an abortion on a minor. The old law was unconstitutional. This Act requires a doctor to tell or try to tell a parent about an abortion on a minor at least 48 hours in advance. If a parent consents to the abortion, the abortion can be done sooner. The Act explains details of how to tell a parent or other adult. The doctor would face up to five years in jail if the doctor knowingly violates the law unless the doctor can prove that the minor faced a serious risk of death or permanent disability. If a minor is the victim of abuse by a parent, she can avoid telling the parent of the abortion but she must get a witness to write a statement about the abuse. The witness must be an adult sibling, grandparent, stepparent, police officer, or a state investigator. The minor must also give a written statement of abuse. The minor could also file a complaint with a court to avoid telling a parent about an abortion. The court could order that a minor may consent to end her pregnancy without parental notice or consent. If the court fails to hold a hearing or order the consent after five days, the doctor may rely on the minor's consent. A doctor is required to report abortions and to keep evidence of criminal abuse for use by the police. If a woman is 18 years old or older, married, or legally independent, the Act does not apply.
Measure Text
This bill would change the law to require notice to the parent or guardian of a female under the age of 18 before she has an abortion. Currently, a female under 18 may have an abortion with no notice to her parent or guardian. The bill includes detailed requirements for the notice, including that the minor's doctor must provide the notice at least 48 hours before the procedure. This waiting period would be waived if a parent or guardian gives consent.
The bill also allows the minor to go to court to authorize an abortion without giving notice to her parent or guardian. The minor could ask the court to excuse her from school to attend the hearings and to have the abortion. The court could direct the school not to tell the minor's parent or guardian of the minor's pregnancy, abortion, or absence from school.
The bill allows a minor who is a victim of abuse by her parent or guardian to get an abortion without notice or consent. To do this, the minor and an adult relative or authorized official with personal knowledge of the abuse must sign a notarized statement about the abuse.
The bill would make it a felony for a doctor to knowingly violate the statutory notice provisions for giving the minor's parents notice of the minor's intent to have an abortion. The bill sets out a doctor's defense for performing an abortion without first providing notice or obtaining consent where the minor faces an immediate threat of death or permanent physical harm from continuing the pregnancy.
Doctors who perform abortions on a minor would have to submit reports.
This bill amends a law passed by the legislature in 1997 that is on the books but which may not be enforced because of a Court decision. The 1997 law was known as the "Parental Consent Act." This bill makes changes to the 1997 law to address concerns in the Court decision and seeks to make the law, as amended, enforceable.
Should this initiative become law?
[ ] Yes [ ] No
Resources
Official Summary
Full Text
Source