Posted on 06/20/2003 10:28:43 PM PDT by LdSentinal
CONCORD — Gov. Craig Benson yesterday signed legislation requiring teenagers to notify their parents if they want to have an abortion.
When HB 763 becomes law Dec. 31, it will mark the first time since Roe v. Wade that New Hampshire has placed restrictions on abortions.
Before signing the bill in Executive Council Chambers in front of about 40 supporters, lawmakers and anti-abortion rights activists, Benson said, “We are giving parents their rights back. I can’t think of a better gift that we can give to the parents in the state of New Hampshire than allowing them to participate in their children’s lives.”
In a prepared statement he said, “As the father of two daughters, I know parents need to be involved in a decision that could have severe long-term mental and physical consequences for their children.”
One of the bill’s sponsors, Rep. Phyllis Woods, R-Dover, said “This is a great day for all parents who care about the health and well-being of their daughters.”
The bill passed the Senate by one vote, and passed the House twice by slim margins this year.
Ed Holdgate, president of New Hampshire Right to Life, said Benson’s leadership was essential to passing the legislation.
“Now New Hampshire parents will have the choice to be involved instead of being circumvented,” he said.
Citizens for Life Executive Director Roger Stenson said the change in law “allows and facilitates communication between children and their mothers and fathers that had been co-opted by a public policy of secret abortion on minors.”
The bill would require that at least one parent or guardian be notified in person or by certified mail 48 hours before the abortion is performed on a girl 17 or younger. Teenagers not wishing to tell their parents could go before a judge who would determine if the girl was mature enough to make the decision or if the abortion was in her best interest.
No notification would be necessary if a doctor determines the girl’s life is in danger.
Supporters of parental notification have tried for years to pass legislation but were unsuccessful until this year. Other attempts to limit abortion rights also have failed over the years. After former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen was elected, the Legislature passed a bill to remove statutes from the 1800s prohibiting abortion. Earlier attempts to remove the statutes were vetoed.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.