Washington D.C., Apr 27, 2005 / 22:00 pm
The House of Representatives passed a bill yesterday, making it a federal crime for any adult to accompany a minor across state lines to have an abortion without her parents’ consent.
A vote on a similar bill is expected in the Senate later this spring.
The Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act was passed 270 to 157. The bill closes a loophole by preventing girls 17 and under from going to different states to evade more restrictive laws in their home states that require parental notification for abortions.
The bill also requires doctors to comply with state notification laws, and in some cases to notify the girl's parents in person.
Violators could face a $100,000 fine and a year in jail.