HB 35 recently passed the House of Representatives 22 to 14. The proposed law would require parental consent for an abortion for girls aged 16 and younger. There are flexible provisions to allow exemptions to the consent requirement in cases of violent home life, rape and incest by allowing for a notarized statement by another adult of the known abuse. This can be provided by a legal aged sibling, neighbor, grandparent or other involved adult.

I voted in favor of this legislation and am comfortable that the language in the bill provides important parental involvement while also protecting our most vulnerable citizens with straightforward provisions that allow a teenager to avoid involving abusive parents in the decision.

The bill is now on its’ way to the Senate where it is expected to face difficult passage. Already, there is an effort on the Senate side to amend the intent to parental notification with the hope that the less restrictive designation would build greater support for its’ ultimate passage.