Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires physicians to obtain written parental or legal guardian consent before performing an abortion upon an unmarried, unemancipated female under the age of 17.

Highlights:

-Requires the physician to notify at least one of the minor's parents or legal guardians in person or by phone at least 48 hours prior to performing the abortion (Sec. 3). -Requires the physician to document the notification or attempted notification in the minor's medical record and take reasonable steps to verify that the individual being delivered the notification is the legitimate parent or legal guardian of the minor (Sec. 3). -Authorizes the physician to mail the notification to the minor's parent or legal guardian if prior contacts were unsuccessful (Sec. 3). -Exempts minors from the parental consent requirement if the court authorizes the minor to obtain an abortion without notice and consent of a parent or legal guardian, or if the minor is the victim of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse committed by one or both of the minor's parents or legal guardians, as documented by the minor or another individual who has personal knowledge of the abuse (Sec. 3). -This is a substitute bill sponsored by the House Committee on Finance.

Full Bill Text