Oppose HB 1212 This Thursday, May 12, the Texas House of Representatives is expected to vote on HB 1212 - Parental Consent for Abortion.  Please take a minute today to send an e-mail to your Representative.  Tell your Representative to vote no on HB 1212. Let your Representative know: The current Parental Notification Law works. Most parents are involved in their daughter's decision to have an abortion and the current law provides options for abused and neglected teens. A judicial bypass is not easy to obtain under the current law.  Don't put vulnerable young women at risk by making one even harder to obtain. Sample Letter for Campaign Subject: Please Oppose HB 1212 Dear [ Decision Maker ] , I am writing to ask you to vote against HB 1212 by Rep. Phil King (R-Weatherford). HB 1212 would require parental consent before a minor could have an abortion. It would also change the requirements for obtaining a judicial bypass, making one much harder for an abandoned, abused, or neglected young woman to obtain. The current notification law works. This bill is not needed in Texas. There is no need to change the parental notification process or to make a judicial bypass more difficult to obtain. The current law ensures that caring parents are involved in their daughter's decision and that abandoned or abused teens have access to a fair and confidential hearing. It is already difficult for a young woman to obtain a judicial bypass, but HB 1212 would it make it almost impossible for a young woman who chooses judicial bypass to prove her case. Furthermore, many judges already refuse to hear judicial bypass cases because they are so controversial. Requiring the state to make public the data on judicial bypass cases would further eliminate judges who are willing to hear the cases due to the controversial nature of abortion in this country and the fact that judges in Texas are elected. I urge you to vote no on HB 1212. I would appreciate a reply to my e-mail on your vote. Thank you. Sincerely,

Campaign Launched: May 11, 2005

Background Information

 HB 1212 is About More Than Parental Consent

HB 1212 would require parental consent before a minor could have an abortion, would make it much harder for a young woman without parental support to obtain a judicial bypass, and contains no provision for teens who have been abandoned by their parents. 

However, this bill is about much more than parental consent.  HB 1212 would also require public reporting of the decisions in judicial bypass cases.  

Planned Parenthood supports parents' involvement in their daughters' decisions regarding pregnancy.  Most teens already involve a parent in their decision.  The current notification law works.

HB 1212 would make it harder for a minor who cannot involve her parent to receive a judicial bypass, because the bills would increase the requirements for proving that she is mature or that telling a parent would lead to abuse.  It would increase the number of days the court had to hold a hearing from two to five-further delaying her procedure-and would require a young woman to apply for a bypass in her home county or the county where the abortion will be performed.  Current law allows a minor to apply for a judicial bypass in any Texas county.

There is no need to change the parental notification process or to make a judicial bypass more difficult to obtain.  Many judges already refuse to hear the cases because they are controversial.  Requiring the state to make public the data on judicial bypass cases would further eliminate judges who are willing to hear the cases due to the controversial nature of abortion in this country and the fact that judges in Texas are elected.

Planned Parenthood of the Texas Capital Region ~ Planned Parenthood Association of Cameron and Willacy Counties, Inc. ~ Planned Parenthood of South Texas, Inc. ~ Planned Parenthood of North Texas, Inc. ~ Planned Parenthood of Houston and Southeast Texas, Inc. ~ Planned Parenthood Association of Lubbock, Inc. ~ Planned Parenthood Association of Hidalgo County, Inc. ~ Planned Parenthood of West Texas, Inc. ~ Planned Parenthood of San Antonio and South Central Texas, Inc. ~ Planned Parenthood of Central Texas, Inc. ~ Planned Parenthood of Amarillo and the Texas Panhandle

(c) 2003 Texas Association of Planned Parenthood Affiliates, Inc.