04/12/1995 01:40 PM Senate JUD

       SB 105 PARENTAL CONSENT BEFORE MINOR'S ABORTION                       
                                                                               
 SENATOR TAYLOR announced that David Wilson had prepared written               
 testimony for the committee which would be distributed to committee           
 members.                                                                      
                                                                               
 NANCY ODEM testified from Anchorage.  She stated Justice James C.             
 McReynolds, in the case Pierce vs. Society of Sisters, summarized             
 that the child is not the mere creature of the state, and                     
 recognized the important role played by parents in a child's life.            
 The court has recognized their rights and high duty to protect and            
 guide their children.  By virtue of ignorance, inexperience and               
 immaturity and credulity, children are vulnerable.  Unprotected               
 children are at risk for accidental harm, as well as intentional              
 harm from those would take advantage of their vulnerability.                  
 Without an effective parental consent law, Alaska's children are              
 terribly vulnerable.  The abortion industry relies on the                     
 indiscretions of children for financial gain.  Abortion can have              
 devastating physical and psychological impacts.  She urged the                
 committee's support of SB 105.                                                
                                                                               
 Number 540                                                                    
                                                                               
 PEGGY SEELEY testified from Anchorage in support of SB 105.  She              
 stated a minor must have parental consent for any other medical               
 procedure.  Abortion can result in serious injury or death to the             
 mother.  Many of these injuries or deaths go unreported because of            
 the nature of the abortion industry.  Parents have the best                   
 interests of their daughters at heart and no one is more truly                
 concerned about their physical and emotional wellbeing.  Many                 
 studies reveal that abortions significantly increase the young                
 woman's suicide potential, and such teens are 10 times as likely to           
 commit suicide within six months of an abortion.  Teenagers are not           
 adults, legally, emotionally, or psychologically, and need parental           
 guidance for perhaps the most crucial decision they will ever make.           
                                                                               
 Number 507                                                                    
                                                                               
 There being no one else to testify, SENATOR TAYLOR stated the                 
 committee has received significant testimony and written testimony            
 from Anchorage and the matter has been given sufficient time.  His            
 personal belief is that this issue involves children and should               
 require parental consent as for any medical procedure.                        
                                                                               
 SENATOR MILLER moved CSSB 105 (JUD) be discharged from committee              
 with individual recommendations.  There being no objection, the               
 motion carried.