Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act

Key Points

• This bill makes it a federal crime to take a minor across state lines for an abortion to avoid parental involvement laws in their home state. Anyone who knowingly helps a minor bypass these rules could face up to one year in prison and fines.
• Doctors would be required to notify a parent at least 24 hours before performing an abortion on a minor from another state. If a parent cannot be reached in person, the doctor must send a certified letter and wait for a set time before the procedure can happen.
• There are exceptions for life-threatening medical emergencies. Additionally, if a minor has already received permission from a judge in their home state to have the procedure without a parent, these new federal notification rules would not apply.
• The law protects the minors and their parents from being charged with a crime. However, parents who were not notified can sue the person who transported the minor or the doctor for damages, unless that parent was involved in a case of incest.
• If a minor is a victim of abuse by a parent, they can sign a statement to waive the notification requirement. In these cases, the doctor is required to report the abuse to state authorities before performing the abortion.

Votes

No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.