Around New England
Connecticut Catholic Bishops Call for Parental Notification for Abortions
November 13, 2018
Connecticut is one of a small number of states in the country that don’t require parents of minor girls seeking abortions to be notified, and the Catholic bishops in the state want to change that.
The Connecticut Catholic Conference, the political lobbying arm of the state’s three bishops, released its annual “State of Abortion” report highlighting what the bishops see as inconsistencies in state law.
“Connecticut law appears conflicted when it comes to a minor procuring an abortion versus other health sensitive activities. A thirteen year old girl in Connecticut can receive an abortion without any parental in- volvement, but cannot have a body piercing or be given an aspirin at school without written parental consent,” the bishops’ report on abortion states.
In 2006 the state legislature required a minor to get parental consent to go to a tanning salon — and then in 2013 prohibited anyone under 17 from going to a tanning salon under any circumstances, the report states.
“Why do the legislative leaders of our state believe a teenager under seventeen years old can give informed consent for an abortion procedure, but not be responsible enough when it comes to tanning herself?” the bishops’ report asks.
Massachusetts requires minor girls to get consent for an abortion from their parents or from a judge.
But that shouldn’t be necessary in Connecticut, supporters of the current law say.
Abortionists are all a girl seeking an abortion needs, one abortion advocate said.
“Vulnerable young people just need the support of medical professionals,” said Sarah Croucher, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Connecticut, according to the New Haven Register. “They shouldn’t have to go before a judge and defend their decision.”
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