Bill would prevent interstate transportation of children for abortion without parental notification

Three Republican members of Congress have introduced a bill, the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act, which would make it illegal to bring a minor across state lines to procure an abortion without first notifying the minor’s parents.

Many states, such as California, do not currently require parents to be notified when a minor requests or receives an abortion. This means that minors residing in states where such notification is required can circumvent the law by traveling to a state with no such requirement for abortions without their parents ever knowing. 

The new bill, introduced by Representatives Dave Taylor, Bob Onder, and Mark Harris, would close this loophole by making it illegal to transport a minor across state lines for the purpose of procuring an abortion without informing at least one of the minor’s parents. Additionally, the bill requires abortion providers to notify a parent at least 24 hours before performing an abortion on any minor child who resides in another state. 

The bill includes an exception for cases in which not having an abortion endangers the life of the mother. 

“This legislation is critical to protecting parental rights when it comes to the most serious and irreversible decision a minor can make,” said Onder, according to The Highland County Press. “No one should be able to secretly transport a child across state lines to bypass parental consent or notification laws.”

Onder said transporting minors across state lines in such circumstances is wrong and must be stopped. 

Taylor added, “No one should be taking children across state lines to receive secret abortions behind the backs of that child’s parents. Our nation’s laws should protect our children from vulnerability, not open them up to coercion from oppressors trying to evade accountability from parents and the law.”

The bill is the latest in a number of attempts by pro-life politicians to protect minors from being trafficked to be subjected to abortions. As CatholicVote previously reported, the Idaho House of Representatives passed a 2023 law criminalizing all “abortion trafficking.” Leaders in the pro-life movement have welcomed the bill.

“The Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act is a commonsense measure that helps protect vulnerable girls from exploitation and abuse,” said National Right to Life President Carol Tobias, according to the Press.