The New Hampshire House has signed off on a measure that will force medical providers to inform the parents of minors seeking an abortion. The house passed a similar proposal in March, and yesterday approved by a 21 vote margin changes made to the bill by the State Senate.
For the first time since Roe v. Wade decision 30 years ago??New Hampshire lawmakers have decided to modify state abortion policies.?..Under the new law, medical providers could be charged with a misdemeanor for not informing a girls parent or guardian at least 48 hours before performing an abortion??Girls who don?t want to involve their families could get a waiver from a judge?. Before the vote, Dover republican Phyllis Woods, a long time pro-life advocate??urged lawmakers to see the bill for what she insists really is.
?This is not about a woman?s right to choose. The bill is very simply about a parent?s right to know. It?s not about inflicting government into the home. It?s about taking government out of the decision between a parent and a child.?
Opponents of the measure argued the exact opposite. Hancock republican Ted Leach:
?This bill only creates and unwarranted?.and emotionally charged intrusion into the family units of our citizens. This is a big brother bill and it should be summarily rejected because it is just not the NH way.?
After the vote, those on both sides of the issues agreed that the battle over state abortion rights policy is far from settled. According to Roger Stenson of citizens for life, passing parental notification is simply the first step towards enacting more sweeping change.
?I?ve said from the very begging that New Hampshire is desperately in need of abortion reform and this is a key element to abortion reform in NH?.I mean this one stands as a flagship.?
Laura Thibault of New Hampshire chapter of the national abortion rights action league says Stenson?s words ring all too true.
?Anti-choice supporters of this legislation have said time and again this is not about abortion and as you can see the as soon as the legislation is passed?.they are the first ones to say this really is one step in their long term strategy to overturn reproductive rights. So I think that?s a very telling statement.?
But other activists expect the most telling statement on new law may ultimately come from the courts. Jennifer Frizzell of Planned Parenthood of northern New England believes the measure wall be tested.
?We remain committed to protecting our young female patients and We?ll be looking at any legal challenges that may flow from the language of this bill ? which specifically does not protect a young woman?s health as the US supreme court and many other courts have determined is a necessary component of any parental notification legislation.?
Governor Craig Benson, who pushed had for the measures passage says he isn?t worried about the bill surviving legal challenge. In fact, the Governor admitted he?s spoiling for a fight.
?I?d love to take them to court to see what they have to say about taking parents rights away. I think at the end of the day the state has no right stepping between apparent and a child --this is parental rights completely.?
Governor Benson says he will sign the bill as soon as it hits his desk?..New Hampshire will join 20 other states that have parental notification laws. Another 23 states requires parental consent.
