HB494 Summary

• Requires written parental consent from one parent or legal guardian before a physician can perform an abortion on an unemancipated minor under 18 years old.

• Parent or legal guardian must sign consent form in the presence of the abortion provider or their agents and provide certified birth certificate plus government-issued photo identification or affirm lack of photographic identification under oath.

• Establishes judicial bypass procedure allowing minors to petition court for waiver of parental consent requirement if they demonstrate maturity and informed decision-making or prove that abortion is in their best interest; court must rule within 48 hours (excluding weekends and holidays).

• Prohibits coercion of minors to have abortions and makes violation of parental consent requirements a Class A misdemeanor with mandatory license forfeiture and potential license suspension of at least one year.

• Creates civil liability for failure to comply with requirements, allowing compensatory and punitive damages separate from the Medical Liability Act of 1987; permits guardian ad litem appointment to represent the unborn child's interests in judicial bypass proceedings.