Washington Parental Notification Bill (HB 1003)

HB 1003 would require physicians to notify a parent or guardian of a minor seeking an abortion 48 hours prior to the procedure, unless there was a medical emergency.  If both parents have died or are otherwise unavailable to the physician within at least 24 hours, notification of the patient’s guardian is sufficient.

The patient may seek judicial bypass if she wishes to not allow the notification of a parent or guardian.  After a motion and hearing, a court may authorize a physician to perform an abortion without parental notification if they find the patient is “mature and capable of giving informed consent,” or if they find it is in the best interest of the woman.

Any physician who performs an abortion on a minor without parental or guardian notification would be guilty of unprofessional conduct and his or her medical and surgery license would be suspended for a period of at least 3 months.

If passed, the law would take effect immediately.

Related Legislation

Identical to HB 1493, which failed to pass in the 2015/2016 legislative session.

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