High court to consider parental notification law for abortions

Published: 2005-05-24

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- This fall the Supreme Court will hear its first case about access to abortion in five years when it considers the constitutionality of a New Hampshire law requiring parental notification before minors can have abortions. The court agreed May 23 to review a 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that said the 2003 parental notification law was unconstitutional because it did not provide for an exception in case of a medical emergency. The state's appeal said other state laws would apply to override the notification requirement if the mother's health was at risk, so such a provision was unnecessary in the 2003 law. Bishop John B. McCormack of Manchester, New Hampshire's only diocese, lauded the court's decision to take the case, saying he was pleased the court "sees the value in considering the role of parental rights alongside the concern for the preservation of all human life."

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