Parental Consent Prior to a Minor's Abortion Advances

HB 1335 (Grall) and SB 1774 (Stargel) would require that a parent or legal guardian provide consent before a minor can undergo an abortion. The bills contain a provision that would allow the minor to petition the court for a waiver in certain circumstances.

HB 1335 was passed by its final committee of reference, Health & Human Services (12-6) and has been placed on the House Special Order Calendar for Wednesday, April 17. During the committee hearing, Ingrid Delgado, FCCB associate for social concerns/respect life, testified in support of the bill. "As a general rule, parental consent is required for medical and surgical interventions for minors including ear piercing and dispensing aspirin at school," said Delgado. "At the very least, comparable parental consent requirements should be made for abortion as well."

The seven Catholic dioceses in Florida all have post abortive healing ministries to serve women who grieve their aborted children and regret their abortion. Those mental and emotional consequences often are exacerbated when it is a decision made by a minor, especially without familial involvement.

Also this week, SB 1774 was passed by its first committee of reference, Health Policy (5-4), and is now in Judiciary.

We thank our FLCAN subscribers who took action and urged their legislators to support these good bills that seek to ensure parental involvement in their child's permanent, life-altering decision.