HB 1424 Summary

• Establishes the "Parental Involvement Enhancement Act" replacing previous parental notification provisions, requiring physicians to obtain written notarized consent from one parent or legal guardian before performing abortion on unemancipated minors or incompetent women.

• Requires detailed consent forms created by the Department of Health that must include comprehensive information about abortion procedures, medical risks, and physician declarations, with parent/guardian and minor signatures notarized by a notary public.

• Provides judicial bypass allowing pregnant minors or incompetent women to petition circuit court for waiver of parental consent requirement if they can prove by clear and convincing evidence they are sufficiently mature and well-informed, or are victims of abuse, with confidential proceedings and no filing fees.

• Allows physicians to perform abortion without parental consent in medical emergencies but requires notification to parent/guardian within 24 hours by certified mail unless minor seeks judicial waiver.

• Exempts parental consent requirement if both parents' whereabouts are unknown or if minor claims parent committed incest, rape, or sexual abuse; requires attending physician to report abuse under Child Maltreatment Act; effective January 1, 2016.