Parental Notification Bills.
Title X: Last year, Rep. Don Manzullo (R-IL) and Rep. Ernest Istook (R-OK) led an effort to require Title X (ten) clinics to notify parents before giving contraceptive "drugs and devices" to their minor children. The attempt failed when Rep. Mike Castle (R-DE) offered a gutting substitute which required only the status quo: that the clinics "encourage" teens to talk to their parents. Unfortunately, cases like the one in McHenry County where a 14-year old girl was continually molested by her teacher with the hapless aid of a Title X clinic administering Depo-Provera illustrate all too tragically what is wrong with the status quo. County health clinics cannot take the place of parents in knowing what is in the child's best interest. Rep. Manzullo is renewing his attempt to enact a parental notification law. FRC, along with Rep. Istook and Rep. Chris Cannon (R-UT), participated in a press conference at which the new legislative proposals were unveiled. [emphasis mine]
Child Custody Protection Bill: Pro-life members of Congress are introducing new federal legislation to protect parents' rights and safeguard the integrity of state laws which restrict abortions for minor girls. Marty Dannenfelser, Director of Media and Government Relations for FRC, joined the bill's sponsors, Sen. Spence Abraham (R-MI) and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), at a press conference where the new legislation was highlighted. Currently, even though 22 states require parental notification or consent in order for a minor girl to obtain an abortion, parents' rights are being circumvented as individuals transport minors across state lines for an abortion. The most disturbing instances are situations where the adult(s) involved seek to conceal sexual abuse, statutory rape or similar behaviors. This legislation reflects the importance of respecting both the laws of states and the interests of parental participation in a decision that has serious medical and emotional consequences for their daughters. The Manzullo bills and the Child Custody bill will proceed to congressional committees for hearings. [emphasis mine]
[Source: Family Research Council’s LEGISLATIVE HOTLINE, Friday, February 13, 1998]