Friday, November 3, 2006
NAF Communications Department
202-667-5881
press@prochoice.org
Washington, DC - California voters will consider a parental notification ballot initiative on Election Day, November 7. Proposition 85 seeks to amend the California Constitution to require parental notification at least 48 hours before a minor can obtain an abortion. If the proposition passes, the health and safety of California teens may be placed in danger.
Last November, California voters rejected a similar provision by a margin of 52.6% to 47.4%. Unfortunately, proponents of the initiative managed to place it on the ballot with similar wording again this year.
"Imposing parental consent restrictions could jeopardize the health and safety of California teens," said Vicki Saporta, President and CEO of the National Abortion Federation (NAF). "We are therefore encouraging voters to defeat Proposition 85.""
Parental involvement restrictions may worsen family communication rather than promote it. While parents rightly want to be involved in the decisions of their teenage daughters, good family communication cannot be imposed by the government. In most instances, whether teens live in a state with a parental involvement law or not, parents know about a teen's decision to terminate a pregnancy. Unfortunately, involving a parent is not a realistic option for many young women who come from homes that are emotionally or physically abusive, or for those who are victims of rape or incest. Other teens may not want to involve their parents for fear of disappointing them. Rather than tell their parents, some young women may resort to dangerous alternatives.
NAF and other medical authorities such as the California Medical Association, the California chapter of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the California Nurses Association oppose Proposition 85 because it puts the health and safety of California teens at risk.
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The National Abortion Federation (NAF) is the professional association of abortion providers in the United States and Canada. Our mission is to ensure safe, legal, and accessible abortion care to promote health and justice for women. Our members include health care professionals at clinics, doctors' offices, and hospitals, who together care for more than half the women in both countries who choose abortion each year. For more information, visit our website at www.prochoice.org
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