Ellen Lockyer, KSKA – Anchorage
Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest is suing the state in an effort to overturn the parental notice law, which requires underage girls seeking abortions to notify their parents. Clover Simon is vice president of the organizations’ Alaska chapter, says the litigation is aimed at preventing the law from going into effect on Dec. 14 while the law is being challenged.
The law affects young women 18 years of age or under. Simon says the law is vague, and places an undue burden on both physicians and patient. Simon says the law is too burdensome on any minor choosing to terminate a pregnancy without notifying her parents.
The parental notification law was passed by Alaska voters this past June, when it appeared on the primary ballot.
Those in support of the law say that complications posed by abortion pose a health risk that parents need to be aware of.
Bill MacAllister , spokesman for the state Department of Law, says state attorneys have the complaint and are reviewing it. He had no further comment at this time.
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