Sponsored by: Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL)
Summary: The Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act (CIANA) makes it a federal crime for an adult other than a parent to assist a minor across a state line to obtain an abortion if the minor's home state has a parental notification law for abortion and the parent has not been informed. The exception is for an abortion that is necessary to save the minor's life. This legislation also imposes a fine and/or one year prison sentence on any physician who provides an abortion to a minor from another state in violation of the home state's parental notification laws.
PPNT Position: Oppose—The Child Interstate Notification Act is an inappropriate federal intrusion in family decision-making that would criminalize doctors and even close family members who help young people access abortion services. For teens who live in unsafe or abusive homes, CIANA would create a dangerous, one-size-fits-all government mandate that puts teens at risk. Neither this bill nor any other can create healthy family communication or a loving, supportive environment where it does not already exist. Furthermore, CIANA is unconstitutional because it lacks an exception for teens whose health is in danger; the Supreme Court has made clear that parental involvement laws must have an adequate medical emergency exception. Finally, CIANA would create a complicated web of state and federal law that would require some states to enforce the more restrictive laws of other states.
Oppose—The Child Interstate Notification Act is an inappropriate federal intrusion in family decision-making that would criminalize doctors and even close family members who help young people access abortion services. For teens who live in unsafe or abusive homes, CIANA would create a dangerous, one-size-fits-all government mandate that puts teens at risk. Neither this bill nor any other can create healthy family communication or a loving, supportive environment where it does not already exist.
Furthermore, CIANA is unconstitutional because it lacks an exception for teens whose health is in danger; the Supreme Court has made clear that parental involvement laws must have an adequate medical emergency exception. Finally, CIANA would create a complicated web of state and federal law that would require some states to enforce the more restrictive laws of other states.
Latest Action: 02/15/07 – Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Recorded Votes: None.
