GOP bill would tighten rules on parental consent for abortion

By Ramsey Cox - 02/15/13 11:17 AM ET

A group of GOP senators introduced a bill Thursday that would prohibit minors from crossing state lines to avoid parental involvement in the decision to get an abortion.

Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) are the lead sponsors of the legislation. Some states don’t require parental consent for minors to get an abortion, causing some to cross state lines in order to avoid telling their parents about the procedure.

The Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act would prohibit taking a minor across state lines for an abortion if doing so evades the parental involvement law their home state.

“Parental consent is needed for such things as tattoos or school field trips but not always for abortions that will end one life and change another forever,” Hatch said Thursday. “What is worse, there are individuals and organizations out there who appear to care more about money than about kids. They are willing to help young girls get abortions by any means necessary, including taking them to other states without the knowledge or consent of their parents.”

The bill would also require abortion providers to notify parents of an out-of-state minor before performing the procedure.

“Without this common-sense requirement, abortion providers and advocates actually advertise how minors in states that require parental involvement can get abortions elsewhere," Hatch said. "This perverse practice undermines parents and puts young girls at greater risk.”

Hatch said the bill provides an exception in cases when an abortion is necessary to save the girl's life or if they are a victim of sexual abuse.

Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.) introduced a companion measure in the House.

Republican Sens. Roy Blunt (Mo.), Rand Paul (Ky.), Jim Risch (Idaho), Chuck Grassley (Iowa), Mike Johanns (Neb.), Richard Burr (N.C.), Deb Fischer (Neb.), John Boozman (Ark.), Roger Wicker (Miss.), Bob Corker (Tenn.), James Inhofe (Okla.), Pat Roberts (Kan.), Tom Coburn (Okla.), Mike Enzi (Wyo.), Saxby Chambliss (Ga.), Mitch McConnell (Ky.), David Vitter (La.), Jerry Moran (Kan.), Lindsey Graham (S.C.), Ted Cruz (Texas) and John Cornyn (Texas) are co-sponsoring the bill.