Oregon Initiative That Would Require Abortion Parental Notification Qualifies For November Ballot

An Oregon initiative that would require physicians to notify by certified mail a parent or guardian at least 48 hours before performing an abortion on a minor ages 15 to 17 has qualified to be placed on the statewide ballot in November, the AP/OregonLive.com reports (AP/OregonLive.com, 7/25). Under the proposed notification initiative, which is sponsored by Oregon Right to Life, minors would be exempt from the measure if their life or health is at risk, and physicians who refuse to comply with the notification requirement would face civil penalties. The initiative also would allow for judicial bypass in cases of potential abuse (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 7/10). According to the AP/OregonLive.com, supporters on July 6 submitted to the Secretary of State's office 115,845 signatures, which qualifies the measure for the statewide ballot (AP/OregonLive.com, 7/25). ORTL needed to collect 75,630 valid signatures by July 7 (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 7/10).

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