RANCHO RESORT MAINTANANCE POSITION Administrative & Professional Tucson Urban League CEO/President Mechanical Komatsu Equipment Co Resident Field Mechanic Finance and Accounting Charles E. Gillman Company Accounting Specialist Administrative & Professional Jorgensen Brooks Group Counselor Sales and Marketing Everready Glass Sales Reps Arizona / WestMove made on abortions for juvenilesSenate panel endorses House bill spelling out rules for judges to use
Capitol Media Services
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 03.31.2007
PHOENIX — Abortion foes are preparing to make yet another try to legislatively tighten the circumstances under which a minor can terminate a pregnancy without parental consent.
On a 5-2 vote, the Senate Committee on Public Safety and Human Services approved legislation that proponents say simply spells out what factors a judge may consider in determining whether a pregnant girl is mature enough to make the decision. Attorney Peter Gentala of the Center for Arizona Policy said it just codifies what the state Court of Appeals already has ruled.
But Eleanor Eisenberg, lobbyist for NARAL Pro-Choice Arizona, said the measure actually would make state law more restrictive than the court ruling, and would deny abortions to some minors.
State law generally requires a minor to get parental consent before terminating a pregnancy. But the statute, as required by various court rulings, also lets a minor petition a court for an exemption.
This process, known as "judicial bypass," generally requires a minor to prove she is sufficiently mature to give informed consent. But judges also may approve an abortion if it is determined that, maturity aside, terminating the pregnancy would be in the girl's best interest.
HB 2641, which already has been approved by the full House, adds language which says that at any court hearing, a judge must determine the girl is mature based on her "experience level, perspective and judgment." It then spells out factors a judge may use to determine that, ranging from age and time away from home to having personal finances.
It also requires the judge to consider whether the girl has explored other options and to the extent she has weighed the consequences of each option.
The measure will require Senate approval before going to the governor.
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