The proposed General Assembly Raised Bill No. 5309 amends Section 19a-601 of the general statutes to establish new parental notification requirements for minors seeking abortion services. Under the bill, a physician or counselor must provide comprehensive pregnancy information and counseling to an unemancipated minor before performing an abortion. A key insertion in the bill is the requirement that at least one parent or legal guardian must be notified at least 48 hours prior to the procedure, unless the minor has declared in writing that they are a victim of abuse, in which case notification would go to a specified adult relative. The bill also removes the previous obligation for counselors to discuss involving parents or guardians in the decision-making process, instead focusing on informing the minor about the notification requirements.

Additionally, the bill allows minors to petition a court for a waiver of the notification requirements, ensuring their rights and circumstances are considered. The court must appoint a guardian for the minor and assess whether the minor is mature enough to make the decision independently or if notifying the parent or guardian is not in the minor's best interest due to a history of abuse. The legislation also includes provisions for medical emergencies that exempt certain cases from the notification requirements. The bill deletes section (e) of the current law and renumbers it to (f), while inserting new language that clarifies the court's role and conditions for minors to consent to an abortion without parental notification. The act is set to take effect upon passage.

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Raised Bill: