Senate Democrats Block Vote On Bill That Would Criminalize Assisting Minors To Circumvent State Parental Notification Laws

Senate Democrats on Saturday before adjourning for midterm election campaigns blocked a final vote on a bill (S 403) that would allow federal charges to be filed against any individual who transports a minor across state lines for the purposes of evading state abortion parental notification or consent laws, the AP/Lancaster Intelligencer Journal reports (AP/Lancaster Intelligencer Journal, 9/30). The measure, sponsored by Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.), included an exception if an abortion is necessary to save the life of a pregnant minor. In addition, the bill would have barred a father who rapes his daughter from suing anyone who assists in her abortion, as well as barred anyone committing incest on a minor from transporting her to another state to obtain an abortion. The Senate in July voted 65-34 to approve the legislation, which said people who violate the measure would be subject to a fine or up to one year in prison. The House added a provision to the Senate-approved bill that would require out-of-state physicians to provide 24 hours' notice to a minor's parents when performing an abortion or they would be subject to criminal prosecution. The House version also would have authorized fines of up to $100,000 or up to one year in prison, or both, for people who violate the legislation. The House approved the amended version of the measure on Tuesday (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 9/27). "There's a sense of ennui among antiabortion groups," Mike McMonagle, director of the Pro-Life Political Action Committee of Southeastern Pennsylvania, said, adding, "Elected officials that we supported let us down" (Hook/Levey, Los Angeles Times, 10/1).

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