California Parental Notification about Abortions Initiative (2010)

Not on Ballot
This measure was not put on an election ballot

A Parents Must Be Notified Before A Minor Daughter May Obtain an Abortion Act (09-0053 Amdt. #1S, 09-0060, 09-0061, 09-0062) did not qualify for the November 2, 2010 ballot in California as an initiated constitutional amendment. Four different versions of the proposed act were filed.

If any version of the proposed initiative qualifies for the ballot, Californians will then vote for the fourth time on whether parents should be notified before a minor daughter has an abortion. Previous attempts were Proposition 4 in 2008, Proposition 85 in 2006 and Proposition 73 in 2005.

The petition drive circulation deadline for all four versions was May 10, 2010.

Sponsor

On October 15, 2009, John Smith filed a request with the Office of the California Attorney General for an official ballot title on an act that he is calling the "Parental Notification, Child and Teen Safety, and Stop Predators Act."

Goal

California Constitution
Preamble
Articles
I • II • III • IV • V • VI VII • VIII • IX • X • XA XB • XI • XII • XIII • XIII A XIII B • XIII C • XIII D • XIV • XV • XVI • XVIII • XIX • XIX A • XIX B • XIX C XX • XXI • XXII XXXIV • XXXV

If this measure succeeds, it will amend Section 32 of Article I of the California Constitution.

In one letter asking for a ballot title, sponsor John Smith wrote, "The People of California have a compelling interest in protecting minors from the known risks of secret abortions, including the danger of not obtaining prompt care for health- and life-threatening complications when a minor's parent is unaware that she has undergone a secret abortion. The People also have a compelling interest in preventing sexual predators from using secret abortions to conceal sexual exploitation of minors."

Details

09-0053

Ballot title: Requires Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before Terminating Pregnancy of Female Under 18. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.

Official summary: Changes California Constitution to prohibit abortion for unemancipated minor until 48 hours after physician notifies parent or legal guardian. Provides exceptions for medical emergency, parental waiver, or parental abuse documented by notarized statement from law enforcement, protective services, or certain adult relatives. Permits court to waive notice if court finds that minor is sufficiently mature or waiver is in her best interest. Requires physicians to report abortion information to Department of Public Health. Allows physicians to be sued for violating these provisions.

Estimated fiscal impact: Potential unknown net state costs of several million dollars annually for health and social services programs, court administration, and state health agency administration combined.

09-0060

Ballot title: Requires Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before Terminating Pregnancy of Female Under 18. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.

Official summary: Changes California Constitution to prohibit abortion for unemancipated minor until 48 hours after physician notifies parent or legal guardian. Provides exceptions for medical emergency, parental waiver, or parental abuse documented by notarized statement from law enforcement, protective services, or certain adult relatives. Permits court to waive notice if court finds that minor is sufficiently mature or waiver is in her best interest. Requires physicians to report abortion information to Department of Public Health. Allows physicians to be sued for violating these provisions.

Estimated fiscal impact: Potential unknown net state costs of several million dollars annually for health and social services programs, court administration, and state health agency administration combined.

09-0061

Ballot title: Requires Parental Notification Before Terminating Pregnancy of Female Under 18. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.

Official summary: Changes California Constitution to prohibit abortion for unemancipated minor until physician notifies parent or legal guardian. Provides exceptions for medical emergency, parental waiver, or parental abuse documented by notarized statement from law enforcement, protective services, or certain adult relatives. Permits court to waive notice if court finds that minor is sufficiently mature or waiver is in her best interest. Requires physicians to report abortion information to Department of Public Health. Allows physicians to be sued for violating these provisions.

Estimated fiscal impact: Potential unknown net state costs of several million dollars annually for health and social services programs, court administration, and state health agency administration combined.

09-0062

Ballot title: Requires Parental Notification Before Terminating Pregnancy of Female Under 18. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.

Official summary: Changes California Constitution to prohibit abortion for unemancipated minor until physician notifies parent or legal guardian. Provides exceptions for medical emergency, parental waiver, or parental abuse documented by notarized statement from law enforcement, protective services, or certain adult relatives. Permits court to waive notice if court finds that minor is sufficiently mature or waiver is in her best interest. Requires physicians to report abortion information to Department of Public Health. Allows physicians to be sued for violating these provisions.

Estimated fiscal impact: Potential unknown net state costs of several million dollars annually for health and social services programs, court administration, and state health agency administration combined.

Path to the ballot

Main article: California signature requirements

Since the measure is an initiated constitutional amendment, its supporters will have to gather 694,354 valid signatures to qualify it for the ballot. The petition drive deadline was May 10, 2010.

External links

• Letter to Attorney General requesting ballot title. Version 1 (09-0053) dated October 15.
• Letter to Attorney General requesting ballot title Version 2 (09-0060) dated October 1
• Letter to Attorney General requesting ballot title. Version 3 (09-0061) dated October 15
• Letter to Attorney General requesting ballot title, Version 4 (09-0062) dated October 15.