The Montana House today passed a bill today, 55-45, that would require parents to be notified 48 hours in advance if a minor daughter was seeking an abortion.
The bill now goes to the Senate.
Montana passed a similar law in 1995, but a court ruled it unconstitutional in 1999, because it wasn't clear under what circumstances a judge could allow an exemption.
Republican Rep. Tom McGillvray, the bill's sponsor, said HB 321 addresses that issue with a waiver that could be granted if a judge finds a minor to be competent to make the decision.
He also pointed out the absurdity, since parents must first give permission for body piercings and school field trips.
"It's absurd that we put laws in effect that govern many, many decisions for our minors," McGillvray told The Associated Press. "But then when it comes to an invasive procedure like abortion -- with physical and mental effects that can be scarring for life -- that somehow we think that's different."
