Thursday, August 04, 2005

Brief Filed in New Hampshire Parental Notification Law Case
Supporters for a parental notification law in New Hampshire filed a brief on Tuesday, urging the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the law for the protection of minors.

Thursday, Aug. 4, 2005 Posted: 2:17:28PM EST

Supporters for a parental notification law in New Hampshire filed a brief on Tuesday, urging the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the law for the protection of minors.

In November 2003, the New Hampshire Parental Notification Prior to Abortion Act was challenged by Planned Parenthood of Northern New England. The act requires that doctors notify parents of minors at least 48 hours before performing an abortion. Doctors who fail to do so would face criminal penalties.

Planned Parenthood claimed that the new law was unconstitutional because it lacked an exception for cases when the mother’s life or health may be in danger. However, the law does stipulate that notification may be waived in emergencies.

A federal court agreed with Planned Parenthood’s challenge and blocked the law from taking effect, saying that the law places undue burden on a woman’s right to choose. The First Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the decision.

In May this year, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear the case, making this the first abortion case to be heard by the court since 2000. The case will decide whether abortion laws must include an exception for the mother’s health, and is also expected to set standards for judging the constitutionality of abortion laws.


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