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Nevada Assembly Passes Parental Notification Bill

AB 405 would require physicians to notify parents or guardians of a minor in writing prior to providing abortion care. The physician would have to wait an additional 48 hours after sending notification before performing the abortion.

AB 405 would require physicians to notify parents or guardians of a minor in writing prior to providing abortion care. The physician would have to wait an additional 48 hours after sending notification before performing the abortion. Shutterstock

Lawmakers in Nevada passed legislation Friday that would restrict the ability of minors to obtain abortion care.

AB 405, sponsored by Assembly Speaker John Hambrick (R-Las Vegas), would require physicians to notify parents or guardians of a minor in writing prior to providing abortion care. The physician would have to wait an additional 48 hours after sending notification before performing the abortion.

The bill includes exceptions if the physician certifies that a medical emergency exists that necessitates an immediate abortion, a parent or guardian certifies that they have already been notified, or a court has given judicial authorization to waive the notification.

Dozens of bills restricting minors’ access to abortion care through parental notification or consent requirements have been introduced in several states this year.

During the floor debate Assemblywoman Heidi Swank (D-Las Vegas) said the bill “puts a roadblock on a personal choice,” while Assembly Member David Gardner (R-Las Vegas) said that the legislation is about “parental rights,” reported the Associated Press.

An amendment to the bill accepted by lawmakers removed the reporting requirements of the original legislation.

Under the original language physicians would have been required to submit statistical data to the state, including the number of pregnant minors for whom written notice was delivered to parents or guardians, details about how notifications were delivered, and the number of pregnant minors who received an abortion without the physician providing written notice to a parent.

The bill was passed along by a 24-17 vote along party lines. Republicans hold a 27-15 majority in the assembly. The bill now moves to the senate, where Republicans hold a slim 11-10 majority.