WASHIINGTON, D.C. (03-13-13) – Americans United for Life President and CEO Dr. Charmaine Yoest commended the Oklahoma House that passed AUL model legislation designed to assist parents and guardians as they engage young girls in an abortion decision. Oklahoma House Bill 1361 sponsored by State Rep. Randy Grau passed 81 to 13, and now heads to the State Senate where State Sen. Greg Treat is carrying the bill.
“For too long in this country, sex offenders and abusive adults have covered up their crimes by manipulating young girls to have abortions,” said Dr. Yoest. “This legislation will make it harder for abusers to hide from the consequences of their misdeeds and for the abortion industry to turn a blind eye to victims of abuse. We know that parental consent laws reduce the abortion rate by up to almost 19 percent. This legislation will further strengthen parental involvement in their children’s lives.”
HB 1361 requires that a person consenting to a minor’s abortion provide a government-issued form of identification and written documentation that he or she is the lawful parent of the minor. This provision will prevent abortion providers from sidestepping the law by claiming they were “duped” into accepting consent from individuals fraudulently representing themselves as the parents or legal guardians of minors. The new law requires a minor seeking a “judicial bypass” to file her petition in her home county. This prevents abortion providers from coaching minors on how to “forum shop”—that is, find judges who are likely to grant bypass requests.
Dr. Yoest noted that Parental Involvement legislation is among the most popular of commonsense limits on abortion. Parental involvement laws boast a 71% nationwide approval rating, protect the health and well-being of minors, respect parental rights, and save the lives of unborn babies.
For more information on AUL’s cutting-edge model legislation or to request a copy of AUL’s Defending Life, click here.
