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Senate Panel OKs Bill Requiring Parental Abortion Consent

Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.
WGCU
/
The Florida Channel
Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.

Legislation that would require consent from a parent or guardian before a girl under 18 could obtain an abortion was approved by a Florida Senate committee. 

The Senate Health Policy Committee voted 5-4 on Monday for the bill. A previous such law was ruled unconstitutional by the Florida Supreme Court.

The bill by Republican Sen. Kelli Stargel of Lakeland would require a minor to get written permission from one or more parent, or a legal guardian, to obtain an abortion. Florida now only requires parents be notified if an underage girl seeks an abortion.

The measure also provides that a minor could ask a circuit court judge to waive the parental consent provision under certain circumstances, such as when a girl is a victim of child abuse or sexual abuse.