Washington Parental Notification (HB 1257)

HB 1257 would have prohibited physicians from performing abortions for anyone under 18, until they provided at least a 48-hour notification to the parents or guardian of the minor seeking an abortion.

The minor would have been able to petition a court to have the notification requirement waived.  The courts could have granted authorization if they found the minor was mature enough and capable of giving informing consent, or if they found it was in the best interest of the minor.

Any physician that violated this law would have been guilty of unprofessional conduct and would have had his/her medical and surgery license suspended for at least three months.

People