1999 Legislation
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SENATE BILL NO. 1277 – Abortion, parental consent

SENATE BILL NO. 1277

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S1277......................................................by STATE AFFAIRS
ABORTION - PARENTAL CONSENT - Amends, repeals and adds to existing law to
provide legislative findings; to provide definitions; to provide that it is
unlawful for any person other than a  physician to perform or cause an
abortion; to provide reference to adult patients; to require consent for
abortions for minors; to provide various forms of consent; to provide for
abortion for medical emergencies; to provide notice to parents for
abortions due to medical emergencies; to provide for reports to law
enforcement agencies if notice to parents cannot be made; to provide
procedures for a court to grant a minor's right to self-consent; to provide
contents for petitions to the court; to provide for hearings; to provide
for decisions by the court; to provide for appeals; to provide that no fees
may be charged; to provide that a minor shall be orally informed; to
provide that certain judicial records are exempt from public disclosure; to
provide that the administrative director of the courts shall compile
statistics; to provide a private right of action to any person injured by
an abortion; to require reporting to the Department of Health and Welfare;
to provide that physicians are subject to professional discipline and civil
penalties; to require identification and age confirmation; and to provide
severability.

03/11    Senate intro - 1st rdg - to printing
03/12    Rpt prt - to St Aff

Bill Text


S1277


                                                                        
 ||||              LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO             ||||
Fifty-fifth Legislature                 First Regular Session - 1999
                                                                        

                                      IN THE SENATE

                                   SENATE BILL NO. 1277

                                BY STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

 1                                        AN ACT
 2    RELATING TO ABORTION; AMENDING CHAPTER 6, TITLE 18, IDAHO CODE, BY  THE  ADDI-
 3        TION  OF A NEW SECTION 18-601, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS
 4        AND INTENT; AMENDING SECTION 18-604, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE  A  DEFINITION
 5        AND  TO  MAKE  TECHNICAL  CORRECTIONS; AMENDING CHAPTER 6, TITLE 18, IDAHO
 6        CODE, BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION 18-608A, IDAHO  CODE,  TO  MAKE  IT
 7        UNLAWFUL  FOR  ANY  PERSON  OTHER  THAN A PHYSICIAN TO CAUSE OR PERFORM AN
 8        ABORTION; AMENDING SECTION 18-609, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE A  REFERENCE  TO
 9        ADULT  PATIENTS, TO DELETE REQUIREMENTS FOR NOTICE TO PARENTS OF UNMARRIED
10        PREGNANT PATIENTS UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE OR WHO ARE UNEMANCIPATED, TO
11        DELETE LANGUAGE PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND TO MAKE  TECHNICAL  CORREC-
12        TIONS;  AMENDING CHAPTER 6, TITLE 18, IDAHO CODE, BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW
13        SECTION 18-609A, IDAHO CODE, TO REQUIRE CONSENT FOR ABORTIONS FOR  MINORS,
14        TO  PROVIDE  VARIOUS FORMS OF CONSENT, TO PROVIDE FOR ABORTION FOR MEDICAL
15        EMERGENCIES, TO PROVIDE NOTICE TO PARENTS FOR  ABORTIONS  DUE  TO  MEDICAL
16        EMERGENCIES,  TO PROVIDE FOR REPORTS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IF NOTICE
17        TO PARENTS CANNOT BE MADE, TO PROVIDE PROCEDURES FOR A COURT  TO  GRANT  A
18        MINOR'S  RIGHT  TO  SELF-CONSENT  TO  AN ABORTION, TO PROVIDE CONTENTS FOR
19        PETITIONS TO THE COURT, TO PROVIDE FOR HEARINGS, TO PROVIDE FOR  DECISIONS
20        OF  THE  COURT,  TO  PROVIDE  FOR  APPEALS, TO PROVIDE THAT NO FEES MAY BE
21        CHARGED, TO PROVIDE THAT A MINOR SHALL BE ORALLY INFORMED, TO PROVIDE THAT
22        CERTAIN JUDICIAL RECORDS ARE EXEMPT FROM  PUBLIC  DISCLOSURE,  TO  PROVIDE
23        THAT  THE  ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COURTS SHALL COMPILE STATISTICS,
24        TO PROVIDE A PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION TO ANY PERSON INJURED BY AN ABORTION,
25        TO REQUIRE REPORTING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND WELFARE,  TO  PROVIDE
26        THAT PHYSICIANS ARE SUBJECT TO PROFESSIONAL DISCIPLINE AND CIVIL PENALTIES
27        AND TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS; REPEALING SECTION 18-611, IDAHO CODE; AMENDING
28        CHAPTER  6, TITLE 18, IDAHO CODE, BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION 18-614,
29        IDAHO CODE, TO REQUIRE IDENTIFICATION AND AGE CONFIRMATION; AMENDING CHAP-
30        TER 6, TITLE 18, IDAHO CODE, BY THE ADDITION  OF  A  NEW  SECTION  18-615,
31        IDAHO  CODE,  TO  PROVIDE  SEVERABILITY;  AND AMENDING CHAPTER 3, TITLE 9,
32        IDAHO CODE, BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION 9-340G, IDAHO CODE, TO EXEMPT
33        FROM PUBLIC DISCLOSURE RECORDS OF  COURT  PROCEEDINGS  REGARDING  JUDICIAL
34        AUTHORIZATION OF ABORTION PROCEDURES FOR MINORS.

35    Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:

36        SECTION  1.  That  Chapter  6,  Title  18, Idaho Code, be, and the same is
37    hereby amended by the addition thereto of a  NEW SECTION  ,  to  be
38    known and designated as Section 18-601, Idaho Code, and to read as follows:

39        18-601.  LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT. (1) The legislature finds:
40        (a)  That  children  have  a  special place in society that the law should
41        reflect;
42        (b)  That minors too often lack maturity and  make  choices  that  do  not
43        include consideration of both immediate and long-term consequences;


                                          2

 1        (c)  That  the  medical, emotional and psychological consequences of abor-
 2        tion and childbirth are serious and can be lasting, particularly when  the
 3        patient is immature;
 4        (d)  That  the  capacity  to  become  pregnant and the capacity for mature
 5        judgment concerning the wisdom of bearing a child or of having an abortion
 6        are not necessarily related;
 7        (e)  That parents, when aware that their daughter is pregnant or  has  had
 8        an  abortion are in the best position to ensure that she receives adequate
 9        medical attention during her pregnancy or after her abortion;
10        (f)  That except in rare cases, parents possess knowledge regarding  their
11        child  which  is  essential  for  a physician to exercise the best medical
12        judgment for that child;
13        (g)  That when a minor is faced with  the  difficulties  of  an  unplanned
14        pregnancy, the best interests of the minor are always served when there is
15        careful  consideration of the rights of parents in rearing their child and
16        the unique counsel and nurturing environment that parents can provide;
17        (h)  That informed consent is always necessary for  making  mature  health
18        care decisions.
19        (2)  It  is  the  intent  of  the legislature in enacting section 18-609A,
20    Idaho Code, to further the following important and compelling state  interests
21    recognized by the United States supreme court in:
22        (a)  Protecting minors against their own immaturity;
23        (b)  Preserving the integrity of the family unit;
24        (c)  Defending  the authority of parents to direct the rearing of children
25        who are members of their household;
26        (d)  Providing a pregnant minor with the advice and support  of  a  parent
27        during a decisional period;
28        (e)  To  provide  for proper medical treatment and aftercare when the life
29        or physical health of the pregnant minor is at serious risk  in  the  rare
30        instance of a sudden and unexpected medical emergency.

31        SECTION  2.  That  Section  18-604, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
32    amended to read as follows:

33        18-604.  DEFINITIONS. As used in this act:
34         ( 1 .  )   "Abortion" means  the  inten-
35    tional  termination  of  human pregnancy for purposes other than delivery of a
36    viable birth.
37         2.  "Physician" means a person licensed  to  practice  medicine  and
38    surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery in this state as provided in chap-
39    ter 18, title 54, Idaho Code. 
40          (2)  "First  trimester  of pregnancy" means the first thirteen (13)
41    weeks of a pregnancy. 
42         ( 3 .  )    "Hospital"  means  an  acute
43    care,  general  hospital  in  this  state, licensed as provided in chapter 13,
44    title 39, Idaho Code.
45         4.  "First trimester of pregnancy" means  the  first  thirteen  (13)
46    weeks of a pregnancy. 
47          (4)  "Informed  consent"  means a voluntary and knowing decision to
48    undergo a specific procedure or treatment. To be voluntary, the decision  must
49    be made freely after sufficient time for contemplation and without coercion by
50    any person. To be knowing, the decision must be based on the physician's accu-
51    rate  and  substantially complete explanation of each fact pertinent to making
52    the decision. Facts pertinent to making the decision shall include, but not be
53    limited to:


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 1        (a)  A description of any proposed treatment or procedure;
 2        (b)  Any reasonably foreseeable complications and  risks  to  the  patient
 3        from  such  procedure,  including  those  related  to  future reproductive
 4        health; and
 5        (c)  The manner in which such procedure and its foreseeable  complications
 6        and risks compare with those of each readily available alternative to such
 7        procedure, including childbirth and adoption.
 8    The physician must provide the information in terms which can be understood by
 9    the  person  making the decision, with consideration of age, level of maturity
10    and intellectual capability. 
11         (5)  "Physician" means a person licensed to  practice  medicine  and
12    surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery in this state as provided in chap-
13    ter 18, title 54, Idaho Code. 
14          5.    (6)    "Second trimester of pregnancy" means
15    that portion of a pregnancy following the thirteenth week  and  preceding  the
16    point  in  time  when  the fetus becomes viable, and there is hereby created a
17    legal presumption that the second trimester does not end before the  commence-
18    ment  of  the  twenty-fifth  week  of  pregnancy,  upon  which presumption any
19    licensed physician may proceed in lawfully aborting a patient pursuant to sec-
20    tion 18-608,  Idaho Code,  in which case the same shall be  conclu-
21    sive and unrebuttable in all civil or criminal proceedings.
22         6.  (7)   "Third trimester of pregnancy" means that
23    portion of a pregnancy from and after the point in time when the fetus becomes
24    viable.
25          7.  (8)   Any reference to a viable fetus shall be
26    construed to mean a fetus potentially able to live outside the mother's  womb,
27    albeit with artificial aid.

28        SECTION  3.  That  Chapter  6,  Title  18, Idaho Code, be, and the same is
29    hereby amended by the addition thereto of a  NEW SECTION  ,  to  be
30    known and designated as Section 18-608A, Idaho Code, and to read as follows:

31        18-608A.  PERSONS  AUTHORIZED TO PERFORM ABORTIONS. It is unlawful for any
32    person other than a physician to cause or perform an abortion.

33        SECTION 4.  That Section 18-609, Idaho Code, be, and the  same  is  hereby
34    amended to read as follows:

35        18-609.  PHYSICIANS  AND HOSPITALS NOT TO INCUR CIVIL LIABILITY -- CONSENT
36    TO ABORTION -- NOTICE.  (1)  Any physician may perform an  abortion
37    not  prohibited  by  this  act and any hospital or other facility described in
38    section 18-608, Idaho Code, may provide facilities for such  procedures  with-
39    out,  in  the absence of negligence, incurring civil liability therefor to any
40    person ,  including ,  but not limited to ,  
41    the pregnant patient and the prospective father of the fetus to have been born
42    in  the  absence  of  abortion, if informed consent for such abortion has been
43    duly given by the pregnant patient.
44        (2)  In order to provide assistance in assuring that  the  consent  to  an
45    abortion  is  truly informed consent, the director of the department of health
46    and welfare shall publish, after consultation with interested parties,  easily
47    comprehended  printed material to be made available at the expense of the phy-
48    sician, hospital or other facility providing the  abortion,  and  which  shall
49    contain the following:
50        (a)  Descriptions  of  the  services available to assist a woman through a
51        pregnancy, at childbirth and while the child is dependent, including adop-


                                          4

 1        tion services, a comprehensive list of the names, addresses, and telephone
 2        numbers of public and private agencies  that  provide  such  services  and
 3        financial aid available;
 4        (b)  Descriptions  of  the  physical  characteristics  of  a normal fetus,
 5        described at two (2) week intervals, beginning with the  fourth  week  and
 6        ending  with  the twenty-fourth week of development, accompanied by scien-
 7        tifically verified photographs of a fetus during such stages  of  develop-
 8        ment.  The  description  shall include information about physiological and
 9        anatomical characteristics, brain and heart function, and the presence  of
10        external  members  and  internal  organs  during  the applicable stages of
11        development; and
12        (c)  Descriptions of the abortion procedures used in current medical prac-
13        tices at the various stages of growth of  the  fetus  and  any  reasonable
14        foreseeable  complications    and  risks  to  the  mother, including those
15        related to subsequent child bearing.
16        (3)  No abortion shall be performed unless, prior  to  the  abortion,  the
17    attending  physician  or the attending physician's agent (i) confirms or veri-
18    fies a positive pregnancy test and informs the pregnant patient of a  positive
19    pregnancy  test,  and (ii) certifies in writing that the materials provided by
20    the director of the department of health and welfare have been provided to the
21    pregnant patient, if reasonably possible,  at  least  twenty-four  (24)  hours
22    before  the  performance  of  the abortion. If the materials are not available
23    from the director of the department of health and  welfare,  no  certification
24    shall  be  required.  The  attending  physician,  or the attending physician's
25    agent, shall provide any other information required under this act.  In  addi-
26    tion  to providing the material, the attending physician may provide the preg-
27    nant patient with such other information which in  the  attending  physician's
28    judgment  is relevant to the pregnant patient's decision as to whether to have
29    the abortion or carry the pregnancy to term.
30        (4)  If the attending physician reasonably determines that due to  circum-
31    stances peculiar to a specific pregnant patient, disclosure of the material is
32    likely  to cause a severe and long lasting detrimental effect on the health of
33    such pregnant patient, disclosure of the  materials  shall  not  be  required.
34    Within  thirty  (30)  days after performing any abortion without certification
35    and delivery of the materials,  the  attending  physician,  or  the  attending
36    physician's  agent, shall cause to be delivered to the director of the depart-
37    ment of health and welfare, a report signed by the attending  physician,  pre-
38    serving  the  patient's  anonymity,  which explains the specific circumstances
39    that excused compliance with the duty to deliver the materials.  The  director
40    of the department of health and welfare shall compile the information annually
41    and  report to the public the total number of abortions performed in the state
42    where delivery of the materials was excused; provided that any information  so
43    reported shall not identify any physician or patient in any manner which would
44    reveal their identities.
45        (5)  If  section 18-608(3), Idaho Code, applies to the abortion to be per-
46    formed and the pregnant patient is  an adult and   for  any  reason
47    unable  to  give  a  valid  consent thereto, the requirement for that pregnant
48    patient's consent shall be met as required by law for other medical or  surgi-
49    cal procedures and shall be determined in consideration of the desires, inter-
50    ests and welfare of the pregnant patient.
51          (6)  In addition to the requirements of subsection (1) of this sec-
52    tion, if the pregnant patient is unmarried and under eighteen  (18)  years  of
53    age  or unemancipated, the physician shall provide notice, if possible, of the
54    pending abortion to the parents or legal guardian of the pregnant  patient  at
55    least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the performance of the abortion.


                                          5

 1        (7)  If  any  one or more the subsection or provisions of this section, or
 2    the application thereof to any person or circumstance, shall ever be  held  by
 3    any court of competent jursidiction to be invalid, the remaining provisions of
 4    this  section  and  the  application thereof to persons or circumstances other
 5    than those to which it is held to be invalid, shall not be  affected  thereby,
 6    it being the intention of the legislature to enact the remaining provisions of
 7    this section notwithstanding such invalidity. 

 8        SECTION  5.  That  Chapter  6,  Title  18, Idaho Code, be, and the same is
 9    hereby amended by the addition thereto of a  NEW SECTION  ,  to  be
10    known and designated as Section 18-609A, Idaho Code, and to read as follows:

11        18-609A.  CONSENT REQUIRED FOR ABORTIONS FOR MINORS.
12        (1)  (a)  No  person  shall  knowingly cause or perform an abortion upon a
13        minor unless:
14             (i)   The attending physician has secured the written  informed  con-
15             sent  of  the  minor  and the written informed consent of the minor's
16             parent; or
17             (ii)  The minor  is  emancipated  and  the  attending  physician  has
18             received  written  proof  of  emancipation  and  the  minor's written
19             informed consent; or
20             (iii) The minor has been granted the right  of  self-consent  to  the
21             abortion  by court order pursuant to paragraph (b) of this subsection
22             and the attending physician has received the minor's written informed
23             consent; or
24             (iv)  A court has found that the causing or performing of  the  abor-
25             tion,  despite the absence of informed consent of a parent, is in the
26             best interests of the minor and the court has issued an order, pursu-
27             ant to paragraph (b)(iv)2. of this  subsection,  granting  permission
28             for  the causing or performing of the abortion, and the minor is hav-
29             ing the abortion willingly, pursuant to paragraph (f) of this subsec-
30             tion; or
31             (v)   A medical emergency exists for the minor so urgent  that  there
32             is insufficient time for the physician to obtain the informed consent
33             of  a  parent  or a court order and the attending physician certifies
34             such in the pregnant minor's medical records. In so  certifying,  the
35             attending physician must include the factual circumstances supporting
36             his  professional  judgment  that a medical emergency existed and the
37             grounds for the determination that there  was  insufficient  time  to
38             obtain the informed consent of a parent or a court order. Immediately
39             after  an  abortion  pursuant to this paragraph, the physician shall,
40             with due diligence, attempt to provide a parent of  an  unemancipated
41             minor  actual  notification  of  the medical emergency. If the parent
42             cannot be immediately contacted for  such  actual  notification,  the
43             physician  shall, with due diligence, attempt to provide actual noti-
44             fication to a parent for an eight (8) hour period following the caus-
45             ing or performing of the abortion and shall, until a parent  receives
46             such notification, ensure that the minor's postabortion medical needs
47             are met. Notwithstanding the above, a physician shall, within twenty-
48             four (24) hours of causing or performing an abortion pursuant to this
49             paragraph, provide actual notification of the medical emergency by:
50                  1.  Conferring  with a parent or agent designated by the parent,
51                  and providing any additional information needed for the  minor's
52                  proper  care,  and,  as soon as practicable thereafter, securing
53                  the parent's written acknowledgement of receipt of such  notifi-


                                          6

 1                  cation and information; or
 2                  2.  Providing   such   actual   notification  in  written  form,
 3                  addressed to the parent at the usual place of abode of the  par-
 4                  ent  and  delivered personally to the parent by the physician or
 5                  an agent with written acknowledgement of  such  receipt  by  the
 6                  parent returned to the physician; or
 7                  3.  Providing such actual notification in written form and mail-
 8                  ing  it  by certified mail, addressed to the parent at the usual
 9                  place of abode of the parent with return receipt  requested  and
10                  restricted  delivery  to the addressee so that a postal employee
11                  can only deliver the notice to the authorized addressee.
12                  For  the  purposes  of  this  section,   "actual   notification"
13             includes,  but  is  not  limited to, a statement that an abortion was
14             caused or performed, a description of the factual circumstances  sup-
15             porting  the  physician's judgment that the medical emergency existed
16             and a statement of the grounds for the determination that  there  was
17             insufficient  time  to  obtain  the informed consent of a parent or a
18             court order.
19                  If the physician causing or performing such abortion  reasonably
20             believes  that the minor is homeless or abandoned so that the parents
21             cannot be readily found or that  the  minor  has  suffered  abuse  or
22             neglect such that the minor's physical safety would be jeopardized if
23             a parent were notified that the abortion was caused or performed, the
24             physician  shall,  in  lieu  of notifying a parent as required above,
25             make a report  to  a  law  enforcement  agency  pursuant  to  section
26             16-1619,  Idaho  Code, and a petition shall be filed pursuant to sec-
27             tion 16-1605, Idaho Code, which petition shall include a reference to
28             this code section. Upon adjudication that the minor comes within  the
29             purview  of  chapter 16, title 16, Idaho Code, either on the basis of
30             homelessness or abandonment such that no parent can be found,  or  on
31             the  basis  of abuse or neglect such that the minor's physical safety
32             would be in jeopardy if a parent were notified that the abortion  was
33             performed,  the court shall, as a part of the decree, also order that
34             the physician's duty to so notify a parent is relieved. In any  other
35             event,  unless  the court enters a finding that the best interests of
36             the child require withholding notice to a  parent,  the  court  shall
37             order  that a parent receive actual notification of the medical emer-
38             gency and the causing or performing of the abortion.
39        (b)  A proceeding for the right of a minor to self-consent to an  abortion
40        pursuant  to  paragraph  (a)(iii)  of this subsection or for a court order
41        pursuant to paragraph (a)(iv) of this subsection, may be adjudicated by  a
42        court as follows:
43             (i)   The  petition shall be filed in the judicial district where the
44             minor resides. A minor shall have the  legal  capacity  to  make  and
45             prosecute  a  petition  and  appeal  as set out herein. A guardian ad
46             litem may assist the minor in preparing her petition and other  docu-
47             ments  filed pursuant to this section and may seek appointment as set
48             forth below. A guardian ad litem, whether prospective  or  appointed,
49             must  be an attorney properly licensed in this state. The court shall
50             ensure that the minor is given assistance in filing the  petition  if
51             the minor so desires a guardian ad litem but no qualified guardian ad
52             litem is available.
53             (ii)  The petition shall set forth:
54                  1.  The initials of the minor;
55                  2.  The age of the minor;


                                          7

 1                  3.  The  name  and  address of each parent, guardian, or, if the
 2                  minor's parents are deceased or the minor is  abandoned  and  no
 3                  guardian  has  been appointed, the name and address of any other
 4                  person standing in loco parentis of the minor;
 5                  4.  That the minor has been fully informed of the risks and con-
 6                  sequences of the abortion procedure to be performed;
 7                  5.  A claim that the minor is mature, of sound mind and has suf-
 8                  ficient intellectual capacity to consent  to  the  abortion  for
 9                  herself;
10                  6.  A  claim  that,  if  the  court does not grant the minor the
11                  right to self-consent to the abortion,  the  court  should  find
12                  that  causing or performing the abortion, despite the absence of
13                  the consent of a parent, is in the best interest  of  the  minor
14                  and give judicial consent to the abortion; and
15                  7.  If so desired by the minor, a request that the court appoint
16                  a  guardian ad litem, or, alternatively, if no guardian ad litem
17                  is requested, that the court should consider whether appointment
18                  of a guardian ad litem for the minor is appropriate.
19                  The petition shall be signed  by  the  minor  and,  if  she  has
20             received assistance from a prospective guardian ad litem in preparing
21             the petition, by the guardian ad litem.
22             (iii) A  hearing  on the merits of the petition shall be held as soon
23             as practicable but in no event later than five (5) days from the fil-
24             ing of the petition. The petition shall be heard by a district  judge
25             on  the  record  in  a  closed  session of the court. The court shall
26             appoint a qualified guardian  ad  litem  for  the  minor  if  one  is
27             requested  in  the  petition.  If  no  qualified guardian ad litem is
28             available, the court may appoint some other  person  to  act  in  the
29             capacity  of  a  guardian ad litem, who shall act to fulfill the pur-
30             poses of this section  and  protect  the  confidentiality  and  other
31             rights of the minor.
32                  At the hearing, the court shall, after establishing the identity
33             of  the  minor,  hear evidence relating to the emotional development,
34             maturity, intellect and understanding of the minor; the nature of the
35             abortion procedure to be performed  and  the  reasonably  foreseeable
36             complications  and  risks to the minor from such procedure, including
37             those related to future childbearing; the available  alternatives  to
38             the abortion; the relationship between the minor and her parents; and
39             any  other  evidence  that the court may find relevant in determining
40             whether the minor should be granted the right to self-consent to  the
41             abortion  or  whether the court's consent to causing or performing of
42             the abortion, despite the absence of consent of a parent, is  in  the
43             best interests of the minor.
44             (iv)  The  order  shall  be entered as soon as practicable, but in no
45             event later than five (5) days after the conclusion of  the  hearing.
46             If, by clear and convincing evidence, the court finds the allegations
47             of  the  petition  to be true and sufficient to establish good cause,
48             the court shall:
49                  1.  Find the minor sufficiently mature to decide whether to have
50                  the abortion and grant the petition and give the minor the right
51                  of self-consent to the abortion, setting forth the  grounds  for
52                  so finding; or
53                  2.  Find the performance of the abortion, despite the absence of
54                  the  consent  of a parent, is in the best interests of the minor
55                  and give judicial consent to the  abortion,  setting  forth  the


                                          8

 1                  grounds for so finding.
 2                  If the court does not find the allegations of the petition to be
 3             true  or  if  good cause does not appear from the evidence heard, the
 4             court shall deny the petition, setting forth the grounds on which the
 5             petition is denied.
 6                  If, in hearing the petition, the court becomes aware of  allega-
 7             tions  which, if true, would constitute a violation of any section of
 8             title 18, Idaho Code, or would bring a child within  the  purview  of
 9             chapter  16,  title 16, Idaho Code, the court shall order, upon entry
10             of final judgment in the proceeding under this  subsection,  that  an
11             appropriate investigation be initiated or an appropriate information,
12             complaint  or  petition be filed. Such allegations shall be forwarded
13             by the court with due consideration for the  confidentiality  of  the
14             proceedings under this section.
15        (c)  A  notice of appeal from an order issued under the provisions of this
16        subsection shall be filed within two (2) days from the date of issuance of
17        the order. The record on appeal shall be completed and the appeal shall be
18        perfected as soon as practicable, but in no event later than five (5) days
19        from the filing of notice of appeal. Because time may be  of  the  essence
20        regarding  the  performance of the abortion, appeals pursuant to this sub-
21        section shall receive expedited appellate review.
22        (d)  Except for the time for filing  a  notice  of  appeal,  a  court  may
23        enlarge  the  times  set forth pursuant to this subsection upon request of
24        the minor or upon other good cause appearing, with due  consideration  for
25        the expedited nature of these proceedings.
26        (e)  No filing, appeal or other fees shall be charged for cases or appeals
27        brought pursuant to this section.
28        (f)  If a minor desires an abortion, then she shall be orally informed of,
29        and,  if  possible,  sign the written consent required by this act, in the
30        same manner as an adult person. No abortion shall be caused  or  performed
31        on  any  minor  against her will, except that an abortion may be performed
32        against the will of a minor pursuant to court order  if  the  abortion  is
33        necessary to preserve the life of the minor.
34        (g)  All  records contained in court files of judicial proceedings arising
35        under the provisions of this subsection, and subsection (3) of  this  sec-
36        tion, shall be confidential and exempt from disclosure pursuant to section
37        9-340G,  Idaho  Code.  Dockets and other court records shall be maintained
38        and court proceedings undertaken so that  the  names  of  the  parties  to
39        actions brought pursuant to this section will not be disclosed to the pub-
40        lic.
41        (2)  The  administrative  director  of the courts shall compile statistics
42    for each county for each calendar year, accessible to the public, including:
43        (a)  The total number of petitions filed pursuant to paragraph (b) of sub-
44        section (1) of this section; and
45        (b)  The number of such petitions filed where  a  guardian  ad  litem  was
46        requested  and the number where a guardian ad litem or other person acting
47        in such capacity was appointed; and
48        (c)  The number of such petitions for which the right to self-consent  was
49        granted; and
50        (d)  The number of such petitions for which the court granted its informed
51        consent; and
52        (e)  The number of such petitions which were denied; and
53        (f)  For  categories described in paragraphs (c), (d) and (e) of this sub-
54        section, the number of appeals taken from the court's order in each  cate-
55        gory; and


                                          9

 1        (g)  For  each  of the categories set out in paragraph (f) of this subsec-
 2        tion, the number of  cases  for  which  the  district  court's  order  was
 3        affirmed  and the number of cases for which the district court's order was
 4        reversed.
 5        (3)  In addition to any other cause of  action  arising  from  statute  or
 6    otherwise, any person injured by the causing or performing of an abortion on a
 7    minor  in  violation of any of the requirements of paragraph (a) of subsection
 8    (1) of this section shall have a private right of action to recover  all  dam-
 9    ages  sustained as a result of such violation, including reasonable attorney's
10    fees if judgment is rendered in favor of the plaintiff.
11        (4)  Statistical records.
12        (a)  The vital statistics unit of the department  of  health  and  welfare
13        shall,  in  addition  to  other  information  required pursuant to section
14        39-261, Idaho Code, require the complete and accurate reporting of  infor-
15        mation  relevant  to  each  abortion  performed  upon  a minor which shall
16        include, at a minimum, the following:
17             (i)   Whether the abortion was performed  following  the  physician's
18             receipt of:
19                  1.  The written informed consent of a parent and the minor; or
20                  2.  The  written  informed  consent  of an emancipated minor for
21                  herself; or
22                  3.  The written informed consent of a minor for herself pursuant
23                  to a court order granting the minor the right  to  self-consent;
24                  or
25                  4.  The written informed consent of a court pursuant to an order
26                  which  includes  a finding that the performance of the abortion,
27                  despite the absence of the consent of a parent, is in  the  best
28                  interests of the minor; or
29                  5.  The  professional  judgment  of the attending physician that
30                  the performance of the abortion was immediately necessary due to
31                  a medical emergency and there was  insufficient time  to  obtain
32                  consent from a parent or a court order.
33             (ii)  If  the  abortion  was performed due to a medical emergency and
34             without consent from a parent or  court  order,  the  diagnosis  upon
35             which  the attending physician determined that the abortion was imme-
36             diately necessary due to a medical emergency.
37        (b)  The knowing failure of the attending physician to perform any one (1)
38        or more of the acts required under this subsection is grounds  for  disci-
39        pline  pursuant  to  section 54-1814(6), Idaho Code, and shall subject the
40        physician to assessment of a civil penalty of one hundred  dollars  ($100)
41        for  each  month or portion thereof that each such failure continues, pay-
42        able to the center for vital statistics and health policy, but such  fail-
43        ure shall not constitute a criminal act.
44        (5)  As used in this section:
45        (a)  "Cause  or  perform  an  abortion"  means to interrupt or terminate a
46        pregnancy by any surgical or nonsurgical procedure or to induce a  miscar-
47        riage upon a minor known to be pregnant.
48        (b)  "Emancipated"  means  any  minor who has been married or is in active
49        military service.
50        (c)  (i)  "Medical emergency" means a sudden and unexpected physical  con-
51             dition  which,  in  the reasonable medical judgment of any ordinarily
52             prudent physician acting under the circumstances and conditions  then
53             existing, is abnormal and so complicates the medical condition of the
54             pregnant  minor as to necessitate the immediate causing or performing
55             of an abortion:


                                          10

 1                  1.  To prevent her death; or
 2                  2.  Because a delay in causing or performing  an  abortion  will
 3                  create  serious  risk of immediate, substantial and irreversible
 4                  impairment of a major physical bodily function of the patient.
 5             (ii) The term "medical emergency" does not include:
 6                  1.  Any physical condition that would be expected  to  occur  in
 7                  normal  pregnancies  of women of similar age, physical condition
 8                  and gestation; or
 9                  2.  Any condition that is predominantly psychological or psychi-
10                  atric in nature.
11        (d)  "Minor" means a woman less than eighteen (18) years of age.
12        (e)  "Parent" means one (1) parent of the unemancipated minor, or a guard-
13        ian appointed pursuant to chapter 5, title 15, Idaho Code,  if  the  minor
14        has one.

15        SECTION  6.  That  Section  18-611, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
16    repealed.

17        SECTION 7.  That Chapter 6, Title 18, Idaho Code,  be,  and  the  same  is
18    hereby  amended  by  the addition thereto of a  NEW SECTION , to be
19    known and designated as Section 18-614, Idaho Code, and to read as follows:

20        18-614.  IDENTIFICATION REQUIRED. (1)  No person may cause or  perform  an
21    abortion  otherwise permitted pursuant to Idaho law until the physician either
22    confirms the age of the woman by positive identification or secures legal con-
23    sent pursuant to section 18-609A, Idaho Code. A  photocopy  of  such  positive
24    identification  or  legal consent shall be kept in the physician's office file
25    for the woman. If due to medical emergency there is insufficient time for  the
26    physician  to  confirm  the woman's age by positive identification before per-
27    forming the abortion, the physician shall as soon as possible after performing
28    the abortion, confirm the age of the  woman  by  positive  identification  and
29    retain a photocopy.
30        (2)  "Positive  identification"  means  a lawfully issued state, district,
31    territorial, possession, provincial, national or other  equivalent  government
32    driver's  license,  identification card or military card, bearing the person's
33    photograph and date of birth, or the person's  valid  passport,  or  certified
34    copy of the person's own birth certificate.

35        SECTION  8.  That  Chapter  6,  Title  18, Idaho Code, be, and the same is
36    hereby amended by the addition thereto of a  NEW SECTION  ,  to  be
37    known and designated as Section 18-615, Idaho Code, and to read as follows:

38        18-615.  SEVERABILITY.  If any one (1) or more provision, section, subsec-
39    tion, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this  chapter  or  the  application
40    thereof  to  any  person  or circumstance is found to be unconstitutional, the
41    same is hereby declared to be severable and the balance of this chapter  shall
42    remain  effective  notwithstanding  such  unconstitutionality. The legislature
43    hereby declares that it would have passed every section of  this  chapter  and
44    each  provision, section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or word thereof
45    irrespective of the fact that any one (1) or more provision, section,  subsec-
46    tion, sentence, clause, phrase, or word be declared unconstitutional.

47        SECTION  9.  That  Chapter  3,  Title  9,  Idaho Code, be, and the same is
48    hereby amended by the addition thereto of a  NEW SECTION  ,  to  be
49    known and designated as Section 9-340G, Idaho Code, and to read as follows:


                                          11

 1        9-340G.  EXEMPTION FROM DISCLOSURE -- RECORDS OF COURT PROCEEDINGS REGARD-
 2    ING  JUDICIAL  AUTHORIZATION  OF ABORTION PROCEDURES FOR MINORS. In accordance
 3    with section 18-609A, Idaho Code, the following records are exempt from public
 4    disclosure: records contained in court files of judicial proceedings regarding
 5    judicial authorization of a minor's consent to an abortion or the  performance
 6    of abortion procedures upon a minor who would otherwise have to obtain consent
 7    for  the  procedure  from  a parent or guardian, in addition to records of any
 8    judicial proceedings filed under section 18-609A(3), Idaho Code.

Statement of Purpose / Fiscal Impact


                      STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
                            RS 09206

Requires parental consent to perform an abortion upon a
minor.



                           FISCAL NOTE

This bill has no fiscal impact.















          CONTACT: Senator Jerry Twiggs, 332-1300
                   Senator James Risch, 332-1303
          





STATEMENT OF PURPOSE/FISCAL NOTE           S1277