Jolie Rouge
06-30-2007, 08:52 PM
New Hampshire repeals parental notice of abortion
By NORMA LOVE, Associated Press Writer
Sat Jun 30, 2:16 AM ET
CONCORD, N.H. - Gov. John Lynch signed legislation Friday that made New Hampshire the first state to repeal a law requiring a parent be notified before a minor received an abortion. The 2003 law never took effect because of a court challenge, and the repeal took effect immediately.
"I strongly believe parents should be involved in these decisions, providing important support and guidance. Unfortunately that is not possible in every case," Lynch said.
Lynch cited the law's lack of a provision regarding the pregnant minor's health, agreeing with the judge who ruled the law unconstitutional in 2003.
New Hampshire is the first state to repeal a parental notice law, according to Dawn Touzin of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England. Washington state removed a parental consent law in 1991.
Forty-four states have laws requiring parental notification or consent for a minor seeking an abortion. Nine laws, including New Hampshire's, were unenforceable, according to NARAL Pro-Choice America, which filed a brief supporting the lawsuit brought by Planned Parenthood.
GOP Party Chairman Fergus Cullen said Lynch took a radical approach to a moderate law that could have been fixed.
"One can be pro-choice and still believe that parents have a right to know whether their minor daughter became pregnant," said Cullen. "Governor Lynch is saying that parents don't have a right to know their minor children became pregnant."
State Rep. Fran Wendelboe, who fought to keep the law on the books, said its supporters have not decided whether to introduce a new law in January or wait until after the 2008 elections.
Previously, the Legislature consistently voted for abortion rights before passing the law under then-Gov. Craig Benson, a Republican, and a Republican-controlled Legislature.
Democrats took charge in December, and abortion-rights activists moved quickly to strip the law from the books.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070630/ap_on_he_me/new_hampshire_abortion;_ylt=As7L27O2tXtn4kmldrq8aw Fa24cA
See also : http://www.bigbigforums.com/news-information/543427-undercover-planned-parenthood-2.html#post95610208
On the Net: N.H. parental notification law, RSA 132:24: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/x/132/132-mrg.htm
Text of repeal bill: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2007/hb0184.html
By NORMA LOVE, Associated Press Writer
Sat Jun 30, 2:16 AM ET
CONCORD, N.H. - Gov. John Lynch signed legislation Friday that made New Hampshire the first state to repeal a law requiring a parent be notified before a minor received an abortion. The 2003 law never took effect because of a court challenge, and the repeal took effect immediately.
"I strongly believe parents should be involved in these decisions, providing important support and guidance. Unfortunately that is not possible in every case," Lynch said.
Lynch cited the law's lack of a provision regarding the pregnant minor's health, agreeing with the judge who ruled the law unconstitutional in 2003.
New Hampshire is the first state to repeal a parental notice law, according to Dawn Touzin of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England. Washington state removed a parental consent law in 1991.
Forty-four states have laws requiring parental notification or consent for a minor seeking an abortion. Nine laws, including New Hampshire's, were unenforceable, according to NARAL Pro-Choice America, which filed a brief supporting the lawsuit brought by Planned Parenthood.
GOP Party Chairman Fergus Cullen said Lynch took a radical approach to a moderate law that could have been fixed.
"One can be pro-choice and still believe that parents have a right to know whether their minor daughter became pregnant," said Cullen. "Governor Lynch is saying that parents don't have a right to know their minor children became pregnant."
State Rep. Fran Wendelboe, who fought to keep the law on the books, said its supporters have not decided whether to introduce a new law in January or wait until after the 2008 elections.
Previously, the Legislature consistently voted for abortion rights before passing the law under then-Gov. Craig Benson, a Republican, and a Republican-controlled Legislature.
Democrats took charge in December, and abortion-rights activists moved quickly to strip the law from the books.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070630/ap_on_he_me/new_hampshire_abortion;_ylt=As7L27O2tXtn4kmldrq8aw Fa24cA
See also : http://www.bigbigforums.com/news-information/543427-undercover-planned-parenthood-2.html#post95610208
On the Net: N.H. parental notification law, RSA 132:24: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/x/132/132-mrg.htm
Text of repeal bill: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2007/hb0184.html