Mandatory Parental Notification Law
Proposition 73 is arguably the most emotionally-charged ballot item on the ballot for November’s special election, and the ACLU of Southern California has taken a leadership role in attempts to oppose it with candor and sensitivity.
Prop 73 amends the California constitution by requiring that parents or guardians of teens be notified 48 hours before an abortion. The ACLU/SC and its coalition partners strongly oppose this proposed law, which threatens the health and safety of California’s teenagers.
Parents rightly want to be involved in their teenagers’ lives, but good family communication cannot be imposed by government. And Prop 73 does nothing but provide near insurmountable obstacles for teens who are not in good family environments.
“A drastic one-size-fits-all constitutional amendment would force government into sensitive family decisions,” said Ramona Ripston, executive director of the ACLU/SC. “Instead of protecting our most vulnerable teens, this law would endanger those who need the most protection.”
With the additional burden imposed by Prop 73, California’s most vulnerable teens - those who live in troubled or abusive homes, teens whose relatives may have caused the pregnancy, and teens who do not have good relationships with their parents - will be afraid to talk with their parents and may resort instead to dangerous, illegal and unsafe abortions. Prop. 73 puts these teens in danger.
The ACLU/SC is on the steering committee for Campaign for Teen Safety, a broad coalition of parents, doctors, nurses, and counselors organized to educate voters about the dangers of this proposed law. Other coalition members include The California Medical Association, The California Nurses Association, The Academy of Family Physicians, and Planned Parenthood.
“Parental notification laws offer no real solutions for parents nor do they promote communication or prevent unintended pregnancies,” said Justine Sarver, vice president of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California. “They put the most vulnerable teens in danger. The real answer is in prevention and strong, caring families- not new laws that endanger our daughters.”
Sarver stressed the fact that parents always want to know when their children face difficult decisions so they can be helpful, but that safety is much more important than parents’ desire to be informed.
To find out more and to get involved, log onto www.noonproposition73.org or call (213) 977-5241 to learn about specific volunteer opportunities.
SEPTEMBER 2005
Download Issue as PDF
Stop Election Discrimination Against Jewish Voters
Countering Military Recruitment in Local Schools
The O'Connor Seat: Who Watches the Watchmen
Getting Closer to Answers on Immigration Sweeps
Budget Decisions Erode California's Safety Net
Struggle Over Student Censorship Continues
Yo siempre he sido rebelde. Aunque soy chiquita, yo siempre he luchado por defender mis derechos.*
ACLU Activism Influences State Legislative Efforts
Mandatory Parental Notification Law
Military Attorneys Highlight of 2005 Biennial
