Bill requiring parental abortion notification clears hurdle

Associated Press

Friday, April 17, 2015 | 4:45 p.m.

CARSON CITY — The Nevada Assembly has approved a measure requiring parental notification before a minor can receive an abortion.

Assembly members passed AB405 in a 24-17 party-line vote on Friday. The measure now moves to the Senate.

Assemblyman Ira Hansen, R-Las Vegas, said the bill does not require the consent of the parents but only notification.

The bill would require physicians to send a written notification to parents or guardians of a minor seeking an abortion and requires a 48-hour wait time before the procedure.

The proposal would allow some exceptions in the case of medical emergencies and offers a confidential appeal process so pregnant teens can go through with the procedure without parent or guardian notification.

Democrats opposed the measure and said girls would go to desperate lengths to keep their parents from knowing about their abortion.

Assemblywoman Heidi Swank, D-Las Vegas, said the bill “puts a roadblock on a personal choice.” Other opponents said this would not reduce the abortion rate but would drive minors to other states or to seek illegal abortions.

But Assemblyman David Gardner, R-Las Vegas, called this a “parental rights” measure. He said this is not a Republican or Democratic issue. “This is a common sense bill.”

Sun reporter Cy Ryan contributed to this report.