Parental involvement laws require young women to obtain the consent of or notify one or both parents in order to obtain an abortion, forcing those who are unable to comply with the requirements to delay obtaining appropriate medical care. Forty-three states have adopted some form of parental involvement law, but in six of those states, the laws are currently enjoined or not enforced. Most of the statutes include an exception for medical emergencies, and provide for a judicial bypass procedure through which a young woman can seek court approval to obtain an abortion in lieu of parental involvement. State statutes vary widely on whether requirements can be waived in cases of abuse, neglect, rape, or incest.
For a more thorough discussion of parental involvement laws, please see: Parental Involvement Laws.
Parental Involvement Laws by StateThe map below indicates for each state whether or not a parental involvement law is in effect. The chart that follows includes more information about each state’s parental involvement requirements.
Contact the Center for Reproductive Rights for more information on a particular state’s law.
Last Updated February 15, 2011