The Parental Rights Restoration Act cuts down on exceptions when girls want abortions and curbs judge shopping, the two major tactics in circumventing state law.  If the bill becomes law judges will have to take into consideration a number of factors including how dependent the girl is on her parents and her school attendance and grades. Dan Jarvis of the Michigan Family Forum.

“This bill will really make sure that judges have a good grasp on a young lady that is trying to bypass parental consent for an abortion.”

The bill also keeps a young girl from judge shopping, according to Sue Ann Thompson of Right to Life Michigan.

“Minors who are denied a judicial waiver in one county can go ahead and go to the next county and see if they can find a favorable judge who might give them that waiver.”

There aren’t many pregnant minors who can do that alone. Abortion providers are helping.

“We even found on an abortion clinic’s website that they will help them navigate the judicial system, so we know that they are getting coaching.”

The waiver is intended to keep the child out of danger if she has abusive parents. But Maggie Datiles of Americans United for Life says it can become the exception that invalidates the rule.

“Judicial bypass can just be used as a loophole and an exception that swallows the law and is reverted to in every possible situation for any reason.”

Twenty-four states have parental consent laws. They are required to have a provision for judicial bypass.