(Alaska) Voters approve measure requiring abortion notification

[marmar]

Alaskans on Tuesday approved a controversial voter initiative requiring parents to be notified before their teen age 17 and younger receives an abortion.

Ballot Measure 2 was one of the most fiercely contested items in the primary election, with total spending by both sides combined nearing $1 million.

Tuesday's vote marks the first time Alaska voters confronted the abortion issue at the polls.

Under the new law, a teen will be able to get around the requirement that her parents be notified if she appears before a judge or provides the doctor notarized statements attesting to abuse at home.

The law approved by voters gives doctors the job of notifying the parent. A doctor who failed to do that could be hit with felony charges and a prison sentence of up to five years.

Thirty-four states already require parental involvement -- either consent or notification -- before teens can get an abortion. ...........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.adn.com/2010/08/25/1423557/voters-approve-measure-requiring.html