Requiring parental consent for minors wishing to have an abortion will have very serious and dangerous consequences for

This Bill is a step in the wrong direction. Many say that millions of lives will be saved, and the state will save billions of dollars in state expenditures. An epidemic is on the horizon. Virginia is going to see a spike in the number of domestic abuse cases, child neglect cases, teens on welfare, and teen suicide in the coming years as a direct result of this bill. This bill is going to trap thousands of young girls in a situation in which they feel the only way to escape is to have a black market abortion, or commit suicide. Like I said, the thought of losing the life of an unborn child is very unfortunate, but this bill is going to make things a whole lot worse.

Last but not least, HB 1402 violates a fundamental right that every American should enjoy; being able to keep our private lives private. HB 1402 infringes on that right, and takes personal matters and puts them in a place that makes them available to the public. With an issue as controversial as abortion, one’s decision about having an abortion should be confidential. This bill not only requires parental consent, but also for the parent and the child to seek the services of a notary public. Now, a minor’s decision to have an abortion is not even just between her and her parents, but it is now a matter of public record. One of the biggest concerns of girls seeking abortions (other than being pregnant, of course) is privacy. Girls at the age group that this bill is aimed at are highly vulnerable to scrutiny by their peers. We have all seen the effects that children can have on one another (i.e. Columbine…). Privacy is even more important in rural areas where people tend to know each other more personally. Passing legislation that would require a minor and her parent to go to a notary public in order to receive an abortion can have much more traumatic effects on a child that the House obviously recognizes.

In addition to the potential for an increase in child abuse and neglect, this bill is going to greatly increase the demand for illegal (and infinitely riskier) abortion methods. Even before Governor George Allen passed Virginia’s first bill requiring parental notification prior to abortion there were thousands of cases in which young girls attempted suicide shortly after finding out they were pregnant. This is by far and away the least desirable outcome of any pregnancy; both the mother and u

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