Senate Bill Would Require Parental Notification, Waiting Period Before Abortion Care for Minors

May 18, 2011 — On Monday, Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.) and five Republican co-sponsors introduced a bill (S 1005) that would require abortion providers to notify parents by certified mail if their minor daughter seeks an abortion, The Hill's "Floor Action Blog" reports. Providers would have to wait four days before performing the procedure -- a provision designed to allow parents time to seek a court action to block it. Violations of the requirements could result in fines of up to $1 million and prison terms of up to 10 years for providers.

Boozman said that although some states already require parental notification or consent, he believes that a nationwide law is needed to prevent minors from crossing state lines to seek abortion care.

The bill's co-sponsors include Sens. Dan Coats (R-Ind.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Mike Johanns (R-Neb.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and John Thune (R-S.D.) (Kasperowicz, "Floor Action Blog," The Hill, 5/17).