Proposition 73 was rejected by voters in the November 2005 election.
PROP. 73
Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before Termination of Minor’s Pregnancy State of California
This is an initiative constitutional amendment.
Should the California Constitution be amended to require notification of the parent or legal guardian of an unemancipated, pregnant minor at least 48 hours before performing an abortion on the minor?
Amends California Constitution, defining and prohibiting abortion for unemancipated minor until 48 hours after physician notifies minor’s parent/guardian, except in medical emergency or with parental waiver. Mandates reporting requirements. Authorizes monetary damages against physicians for violation.
In 1987, the legislature ordered doctors to obtain parental consent before performing an abortion on a minor. That law was struck down as unconstitutional in 1997. This measure would compel doctors to inform a minor’s parents before performing an abortion. It also introduces a legal definition of the fetus that is consistent with “Pro-Life” beliefs.
- Background, key web sites, public opinion polls, select news and reports by the IGS Library at UC Berkeley
- In Depth Non-Partisan Analysis, League of Women Voters Ca.
- Pros & Cons Analysis, League of Women Voters Ca.
- Notable backers and detractors as well as major campaign contributors, California Voter Foundation
- Official Legislative Analysis, California Legislative Analyst’s Office (PDF)
- Background: Legal & Practical Controversies Related to
Parental Notification Law, HealthVote.org, begins “Both sides for this ballot measure have their horror stories and poignant protagonists.” - Adolescents and Abortion, Advocates for Youth (PDF), notes: “Each year, 750,000 to 850,000 teenage women in the United States experience pregnancy… 74 to 95 percent of these pregnancies are unintended.” Continuing, they report that “[i]n 1999, the most recent year for which data are available, over 148,000 teenage pregnancies ended in abortion.” (The preceding figures are credited primarily to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.)
