NATION : Maryland Abortion Bill Advances
The Maryland Senate has passed a measure that would allow most abortions but require that minors’ parents be notified. The bill went today to the House, where abortion rights leaders expect passage.
The bill approved late Tuesday by a 29-18 vote in the Senate allows unrestricted access to abortion up to the time when a fetus is able to survive outside the womb. After that, abortions would be allowed to protect the health of the mother or in cases where the fetus is deformed.
The bill also requires doctors to notify at least one parent when a girl under the age of 18 seeks an abortion. However, that would be waived if a doctor thought a girl was mature enough to make the decision on her own or if a doctor thought she might suffer abuse if a parent or guardian were notified.
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