Indiana panel OKs amending bill for minors seeking abortion

Under current law, a female younger than 18 needs parental permission for an abortion. Or she can use a judicial bypass procedure in which a judge has a private hearing and can grant permission to have the abortion without parental knowledge. According to testimony, there are only a few dozen of those a year.

Senate Bill 404 originally would have required the girl notify at least one of her parents about the court process. The parents could testify against the minor’s decision and even appeal the judge’s decision.

But after a major amendment adopted Tuesday, the judge will now have discretion on notifying the parent. But that would occur only after the hearing and if the judge approves the abortion.

The modified bill preserves part of the legislation that requires the adult with the girl getting an abortion to prove that they are in fact a parent or guardian. They would have to prove their own identity using a state ID and establish the parental relationship with other documentation, such as a birth certificate or custody agreement.