New Abortion Law Calls for Parental Notification

Gov. Jeb Bush signed legislation in Tallahassee that required physicians to tell parents when a minor daughter sought an abortion.

The law applies to girls 17 and younger who aren’t married and don’t have children. Unless it’s a medical emergency, doctors are required to notify a parent in person or by phone 48 hours before the abortion or, if that’s not possible, by certified mail 72 hours in advance.

Girls can go to a judge to seek a waiver, and judges can grant a waiver based on a girl’s level of maturity or because she has been a victim of parental abuse, or if telling the parents is not in her best interest.