Virginia Passes Abortion Notification Bill
The Legislature on Friday approved a bill requiring parental notification for unmarried women under age 18 seeking abortions.
The measure awaited approval by Gov. L. Douglas Wilder, who was elected on a strong abortion-rights stand. Wilder said during his 1989 campaign for governor that he would sign a parental notification bill if it were properly drafted.
“He made that indication long ago, but he hasn’t said anything recently about it,” said spokesman Glenn K. Davidson. He said he did not know whether Wilder would sign the bill.
Fiona Givens, spokeswoman for the Virginia Society for Human Life, said Wilder “will get a barrage of mail” urging him to sign the bill.
Abortion rights advocates said they were optimistic the governor would veto it.
The bill requires notification of a parent when an unmarried girl under age 18 seeks an abortion, unless the abortion is medically necessary or the doctor believes the girl might be abused by her parents.
Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter
Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond. In your inbox three times per week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
