Waiting Period And Parental Notification Before Termination Of Minor 's Pregnancy

Proposition 4, Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before Termination of Minor’s Pregnancy, also known as Sarah’s Law, is an initiative constitutional amendment. This initiative would forbid the abortion on unemancipated minors until 48 hours after a physician has informed their parent or guardian. This initiative mandates reporting requirements and authorizes damages against the physician for any violations against the initiative. The major players in the campaign include Friends of Sarah and Planned Parenthood. California voters voted against the initiative in the 2008 election.

II. PROPOSED POLICY
The initiative proposed to prohibit minors from getting an abortion without the consent or notification of their guardian. A parent or guardian must be notified at least 48 hours before the procedure, this can be done either through a personal written notification or personal notification. Physicians are allowed to notify a guardian instead of a parent, in the case that the pregnant minor is being physically, sexually, or emotionally abused by their parent and they are mandated to report such abuses. If a physician fails to comply with the provisions of the measure they will be subject to penalization.
The initiative also includes exceptions to notification requirements. The first exception is in the case of a medical emergency. If immediate abortion is necessary to prevent the mother and child’s death or any delay would create a serious risk, then the notification…