Montana asks Supreme Court to review challenge over parental consent for abortions

The state of Montana is asking the Supreme Court if they can require parental consent before a minor gets an abortion.

In a Friday filing, Montana Attorney-General Austin Knudsen requested that the Supreme Court review the Parental Consent for Abortion Act of the state, which requires that a physician obtain notarized consent from a parent or guardian before performing an abortion on a minor.

A judicial bypass is also provided by the law, whereby a minor can approach a court for consent to bypass parental notification.

Planned Parenthood of Montana challenged the law after it was passed in 2013.

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The highest court of the state ruled that the right to privacy for minors supersedes the parental rights in regards to the upbringing a child.

“SCOTUS must hear this case and overturn the Montana Supreme Court’s radical decision allowing minors access to abortions without parental consent. “A child’s right of privacy does not override a parent’s fundamental right to care for and raise their child,” said Mr. Knudsen. “Until the Supreme Court clarifies its position, the health and security of young Montanans who seek abortions are at risk.”

According to his legal filings, the majority of states have laws that allow a doctor notify or obtain consent from one parent when a child seeks an abortion.