Palin Doesn't Want Girls Getting Abortions Without Parent Consent

Underage girls will need either parental consent or informed parents for abortions in Alaska if the initiative passes, like Governor Sarah Palin hopes.

A new initiative in Alaska is being supported to prevent girls under the age of 18 from getting an abortion without their parents being informed first. Alaska Governor, Sarah Palin, confirmed that she would be the first in line to sign the ballot in support of this initiative. She wanted to actually be the sponsor of this initiative, but because of fears of "ethics charges", she instead decided to be one of the first signatures on the ballot. The initiative calls for doctors to refuse performing abortions for underage girls unless her parents are informed. And even then, the procedure would have to wait until 48 hours later. But opponents of this initiative say that many of these teen girls live in situations that would be dangerous for her secret to be found out. In some situations, even their lives could be at stake. However, when this bill appeared before congress two years earlier, it was called "unconstitutional", and was defeated 3-2. (Anchorage Daily News) For this initiative to go forward and be presented on the next ballot in August 2010, they will need to get "32,734 signatures before January". (Alaska Journal) While the parents do not have to give their consent, according to this initiative, they must at least be informed. That is a bit less than consent, but maybe more than what should happen in unhealthy situations, opponents claim. The only way around this is if the teen were to somehow persuade a court that it was actually a medical emergency. Otherwise, the parents must know what is going on.