National Committee for a Human Life Amendment

Parental Involvement

Public opinion polls consistently show people support the right of parents to be involved in their minor children’s decisions to undergo abortions.

Passage of laws in this area is primarily a matter for state legislatures but Congress has considered the issue in relation to federal policies, for example, notice to parents when their minor children receive abortions or birth control drugs or devices-which also can act in an abortifacient manner-at family planning clinics funded under Title X of the Public Health Service Act. Primary attention in Congress has been given to the Child Custody Protection Act and the related Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act.