New Mexico Parental Notification Rights Act (SB 291)

SB 291 would have prohibited a physician from performing an abortion on an unemancipated minor unless the physician notifies a parent or legal guardian of the minor at least 48 hours prior to the procedure. Notice would not have been required if: (1) there is a medical emergency; (2) notice is waived by the parent or guardian; (3) the minor bypasses the notice requirement through the courts (judicial bypass).

Physician Reporting Requirements

The bill would have required physicians to report various information, including the number of abortions performed on unemancipated minors, the number of parents to whom notice was provided, the number of abortions performed on minors without notice to their parents or guardian, and the number of abortions performed after receiving judicial authorization to do so without parental notification.

A person who performs an abortion in violation of the bill would have been subject to criminal prosecution and civil liability.

Reporting Requirements

By June 30 of each year, the state department of health would have been required to issue a public report providing statistics compiled from all the reports provided by physicians.

STATUS

Companion bill to HB 177.

Died in committee; action postponed indefinitely.

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People