Parental Notification Measure Rejected
California voters on Tuesday rejected Proposition 85, a measure that would have required physicians to notify parents 48 hours before performing an abortion on a minor, the Contra Costa Times reports. The initiative included exceptions for medical emergencies and judicial waivers (Myers, Contra Costa Times, 11/8).
With 100% of precincts reporting, 54.1% opposed the measure, and 45.9% voted in favor of it (Secretary of State Web site, 11/8).
Voters in 2005 rejected a similar ballot measure, Proposition 73 (California Healthline, 10/12).
Supporters of Proposition 85 said that parental notification would deter minors from undergoing "secret" abortions and would have exposed more sexual predators.
Opponents said the measure could endanger minors who are victims of abuse at home and would not prevent sexual predators (Contra Costa Times, 11/8).
Jim Holman, a San Diego publisher, funded the campaign in favor of the measure.
Fifteen states nationwide have parental notification laws for abortion, and 19 states require parental consent before minors are permitted to have abortions (Young, AP/Modesto Bee, 11/8).