02/03/1997 09:00 AM Senate HES

                                                                               
       SB  24 PARENTAL CONSENT BEFORE MINOR'S ABORTION                       
                                                                               
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN WILKEN  called the Senate Health, Education & Social                
 Services Committee (HES) to order at 9:00 a.m. and introduced  SB 24          
 as the first order of business before the committee.  He also noted           
 that more information about SB 24 had been added to the committee             
 packet.                                                                       
                                                                               
  SENATOR LEMAN  apologized for being absent on Friday, but noted that         
 he was aware of Dr. Nakamura's testimony.  Senator Leman felt that            
 if ever there would be common ground on the abortion issue, it                
 would be in the area of parental consent for minors.  He expressed            
 disappointment with Dr. Nakamura's testimony and the approach of              
 the Administration.  With regards to the change in state law, this            
 bill would provide a judicial bypass thereby making the existing              
 law enforceable.  The U.S. Supreme Court has said that the judicial           
 bypass procedure is necessary with such a law.  Senator Leman                 
 disagreed with those who deny the link between abortion and breast            
 cancer.  In conclusion, Senator Leman emphasized that the prime               
 reason for this legislation is to ensure a strong family unit and             
 that counsel is sought from parents on such issues.                           
                                                                               
  SENATOR LEMAN  moved to report SB 24 out of committee with                   
 individual recommendations and attached fiscal notes.                         
                                                                               
  SENATOR ELLIS  objected.  Senator Ellis did not believe that the             
 main reason for the bill, protecting the health of women age 18 and           
 under, had been proven.  The alleged connection between breast                
 cancer and abortion has not been proven with the material before              
 the committee.  The issue of access and factors unique to Alaska              
 such as high rates of domestic violence, sexual assault,                      
 alcoholism, child abuse, and other things found in dysfunctional              
 families all argue against the passage of this legislation.                   
 Upon a roll call vote, Senators Wilken, Leman, and Ward voted "Yea"           
 and Senator Ellis voted "Nay".  Therefore, SB 24 was reported out             
 of committee.