House panel clears abortion parental notification bill

The bill sailed through the committee by a 20-13 party-line vote, with only Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi (D-Puerto Rico) siding with Republicans. It would impose a maximum penalty of one year in prison for someone transporting a minor and for physicians who perform or induce an abortion on an out-of-state minor in violation of parental notification requirements in the minor's home state, except in cases where the life of the minor is in danger. 

"More than 30 states have enshrined this sacred responsibility by passing parental consent and notification laws," Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.), the bill's sponsor, said in a statement ahead of the vote. "Minors should not be ferried across state lines by those who would wish to disregard state laws and deny parents their rights."

Critics say the legislation puts the rights of parents ahead of those of minors.