By Sherrie De Laine, 18, Westchester HS graduate, attends Carleton College

“Right now, you don’t have to get permission from anybody to have an abortion.
But with a new law called the parental consent law, a teen will have to get parental consent or go to a judge and the judge has to determine whether or not teen is mature enough to have an abortion. Right now, you don’t have to worry though, because it is not in effect and is tied up in the courts.
According to Suellen Craig, the Executive Director at Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, if this law went into effect, it would only make things worse for teens. “This effect of this law is a scary thing. Mainly because it will put young women at risk for health. I worry about teens without medical care.
“I want teens to talk to their parents, but I also know that there are teens out there who cannot talk to their parents for one reason or the other. We worry about what is going to happen to them.”
This law will not only affect teens but organizations like Planned Parenthood as well.
Right now, Planned Parent-hood offers counseling, medical information, and other information to pregnant women. They also provide first and second trimester abortions to anyone who comes to them.
Craig comments, “I’m not sure what we’re required to do. There are a lot of unanswered questions.”” If this law passes and goes into effect, it could mean more paperwork for Planned Parenthood. The organization would have to ask women to prove their age and make sure any minor had parental permission, or permission from a judge.
She advised teens to call and find out accurate information from organizations like Planned Parenthood. “Knowledge is the best way for teens to protect themselves. This is especially important where a teen’s health is concerned. I want to assure teens that we will try to help them communicate with their parents, or get help if they can’t talk to their parents. It is important that teens be aware that we’re here to help them.”
Planned Parenthood can be reached at the following numbers for information about the Consent Law, family planning, birth control, HIV tests and other questions:
(213) 226-0800 (818) 843-2009 (310) 787-2666 (909) 620-4268

What’s the history of the Parental Consent Law?

In 1987, the law was first passed that required “”unemancipated”” teens to get parental consent or judicial by pass for abortion. “”Unemancipated”” means you’re not married, not in the military, or you don’t have a declaration of emancipation from the court. This law never went into effect because lawyers challenged it in court.
In April 1996, those legal challenges finally resulted in the law being ruled constitutional. But currently until the rehearing, the law is not in effect.”