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Source: Concord Monitor; March 25,
2003
New Hampshire House Passes Parental Notification Bill
Concord, NH -- The state House yesterday voted 187-181 to require
at least one of a minor's parents to be notified before their daughter
can have an abortion.
Over the last decade, lawmakers have defeated similar measures by
2-1 margins, but this year proponents believe HB 763 also has a
good shot at passing the Senate, with Gov. Craig Benson's signature
assured if it arrives on his desk.
Supporters of the bill said parents have a right to know what is
being done medically to their minor children, and the measure will
protect young, vulnerable women.
The bill's prime sponsor, Bedford Republican John Edward Kerns,
said he considers himself "pro-choice" but supported the legislation.
But opponents of the bill said it would create dangerous delays
in seeking an early-term abortion and claimed it will not promote
better communication between parents and their children.
The bill would prohibit any person from performing an abortion on
a minor without giving 48 hours notice in writing by certified mail
to a parent or a guardian. If a minor does not want to notify her
parents, the bill would allow her to go to court where a judge would
decide if she is mature enough and capable of giving informed consent.
Such judicial bypass provisions are a Supreme Court requirement.
One of the bill's sponsors, Rep Phyllis Woods, R-Dover, said, "This
is not legislation about good communications or good family relationships.
This is legislation about parental rights and ensuring that our
children make the best possible decisions.
The executive director of Citizens for Life, Roger Stenson of North
Hampton, said, "This is a tremendous day for New Hampshire families.
"The wedge of secrecy that abortion providers have placed in our
families is being removed, he said. Stenson said winning support
for notification has been an evolution that has taken years and
is an affirmation of family rights. He praised Benson for helping
the effort. "He believes in families and parents' rights, Stenson
said.
A secondary effect of a parental notice law in New Hampshire would
be to protect the daughters and families of Massachusetts, which
has a parental consent law. "Adult men drive the minor girls they
get pregnant over our state line for cover-up abortions," Stenson
said.
Stenson said 25 other states require parental involvement for minors
who want to have abortions. He said a poll done in November 2001
by Wirthlin Poll indicates that 83 percent of New Hampshire adults
support parental notice. The bill now goes to the Senate for action.
ACTION: Please contact your New Hampshire State Senator and urge
strong support for the parental notification bill. You can reach
your member at http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/senate/members/default.asp
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