Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote on a motion to declare inexpedient to legislate a bill that requires parental or guardian notification before performing any medical procedure upon an unemancipated minor.

Highlights:

- Requires the provider of medical services to deliver a written notice to the usual parent or guardian's place of residence (Sec. 1). - Waives the parental notification requirement if a medical emergency exists, meaning the procedure is necessary to avoid death or irreversible impairment of major bodily functions (Sec. 1). - Permits a judge to waive the parental notification requirement if the judge determines that the minor is mature and capable of giving informed consent (Sec. 1). - Permits a judge to waive parental notification requirement if the judge determines that the minor is not mature, but undergoing the medical procedure without parental notification would be in the best interest of the minor (Sec. 1). - Requires a judge to issue a ruling on whether or not to waive the parental notification requirement within seven days from the time the petition is filed (Sec. 1). - Requires that a minor have access to a judge twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week for the purpose of pursuing a waiver (Sec. 1). - Allows a minor to appeal a judge's decision not waive the parental notification requirement, and the appellate court shall make a ruling on that appeal within seven days (Sec. 1). - Defines an "unemancipated minor" as a minor (under the age of 18) who is not or has not been married, or by court order has not been released from custody of his or her parents (Sec. 1). - Classifies a violation of the parental notification requirement as a misdemeanor, and such violation shall be grounds for a civil action (Sec. 1). - Establishes the effective date of this bill as January 1, 2009 (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text