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As early as the week of February 21, the Senate could consider S 661, the so-called Child Custody Protection Act.
This legislation would criminalize any adult other than a parent, including a grandparent or other close relative, accompanying a minor across state lines to obtain an abortion, if the minor has not complied with her state of residences mandated parental consent or notification law.
Most young women do involve one or both parents when considering abortion. But young women who determine they cannot involve a parent often seek help and guidance from other trusted people in their lives such as grandparents, aunts, adult siblings, or religious counselors. Such adults can provide a minor with valuable advice, counsel and assistance. This bill will discourage young women from seeking such help or assistance and would further isolate them in their decision. As a result, the legislation could force some young women to turn to illegal or self-induced abortion or to delay the procedure.
The bill also raises serious federalism issues. If Congress enacts this legislation, the Federal government would infringe upon the rights and expectations of Americans that they may avail themselves of legal services offered in various states. It would be akin to making it a federal crime for residents of states that prohibit gambling to go on a gambling vacation to Las Vegas or Atlantic City.
Major medical organizations including the American Medical Association, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Physicians, and the American Public Health Association have longstanding policies opposing mandatory parental involvement laws because of the dangers they pose to young women and the need for confidential access to physicians.
The American Academy of Pediatrics and Society for Adolescent Medicine also oppose this legislation and say it may increase the risk of harm to adolescents by delaying access to appropriate medical care.
Call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121. Ask them to transfer you to your Senator and urge him or her to oppose S 661, the so-called Child Custody Protection Act. Or go to http://congress.nw.dc.us/naral/elecmail.html to send a pre-written e-mail message to your Senator.
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For more information about national NARAL or your state affiliate, please log on to http://www.naral.org or call 1-877-YOU-DECIDE (toll free).
If you're not registered to vote or know someone who isn't, go to thefollowing website: http://www.ivillage.com/election/votertools/votingguide/articles/0,6969,61101,00.html - fill out the info, they'll send you (or whoever's name you filled in) the required paperwork through snail mail, you send it in to your appropriate state election office, and you'll be all set for this years presidential election!
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